STONY BROOK, N.Y. – A goal with 25.2 seconds left was the difference maker on Saturday afternoon at LaValle Stadium as host Stony Brook edged visiting Fairfield University Men's Lacrosse by a 13-12 final. Bryce Ford had a career day to pace the offense with six goals and two assists.
 
Ford's six goals and eight total points both marked career highs for the Stags' tri-captain. After missing all of the 2021 season due to injury, Saturday's game was the first for Ford since March 10, 2020 and also his first on the attack at the collegiate level after spending his rookie year in the Stags' midfield.
 
Taylor Strough added a hat trick on the day, including the marker that knotted the game at 12-12 with 1:31 to play. Jack McKenna chipped in with two goals in his collegiate debut, and Mike Drake netted a goal and two assists in his first game as a Stag after transferring from Notre Dame.
 
Rounding out the scoring, the trio of Max Paparozzi, Jon Wheat and Kyle Borda each distributed one assist.
 
Head Coach Andrew Baxter boasted a brand-new starting defensive unit today after the graduation off all three starting close defensemen from a season ago. The trio of Wheat, Braden Lynch and Zack Antoniou did the honors against a potent Stony Brook attack featuring reigning America East Rookie and Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Pallonetti.
 
Lynch finished the day with nine ground balls, the most by a non-faceoff man since Matt Borda collected nine in a win over Villanova during the 2015 win. Antoniou recorded four caused turnovers and Wheat had three caused turnovers and two ground balls to go along with his first career assist.
 
Colin Consoli resumed his post in the Fairfield cage and made 14 saves with five ground balls.
 
At the X, Frankie Labetti went 14-of-22 with five ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers, leading the Stags to a 16-13 advantage on faceoffs. Dylan Smith added a pair of wins on the dot.
 
For Stony Brook, Kyle Anderson and Mike McCannell each recorded a hat trick as the duo combined for all five of the Seawolves' fourth-quarter goals. McCannell had the game's final tally that stood as the game-winner. Pallonetti notched two goals and two assists for the hosts, and Kevin Mack scored once and facilitated three more.
 
Anthony Palma earned the win in goal for Stony Brook with 13 saves.
 
Fairfield Men's Lacrosse is back on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium for the first time in 2022 next Saturday, Feb. 19 for a 1 p.m. visit from Wagner. The game will be the Seahawks' season opener.