STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – A 6-0 run over 21 minutes in the second half was the catalyst to lead Fairfield University Men's Lacrosse past host Wagner, 14-7, on Saturday on Staten Island. Bryce Ford scored five goals – all after the intermission – to pace the offense as the Stags picked up their first win of the young 2023 season.
 
With the win, Fairfield evens its record at 1-1. Wagner drops to 0-1 after opening their spring campaign this afternoon.
 
In addition to five goals for Ford, Josh Demko and Max Paparozzi posted identical statlines of two goals and an assist. Will Consoli and Rob Moore each posted one goal and one helper, with Jake Gilbert, Jack McKenna and defenseman Braden Lynch adding one tally apiece. Rounding out the attack, Davis Allen notched his first point as a Stag with a third-quarter assist.
 
Defensively, the Stags' seven goals allowed mark the fewest since an 18-5 win at NJIT during the 2019 campaign. Colin Consoli made eight saves to fortify the back line, with Matt Rice and Eli Adams each collecting four ground balls. Jon Wheat was all over the field, causing three of Wagner's 20 turnovers.
 
Dylan Smith took all 24 faceoffs for Fairfield and came away with 14 wins, including four ground balls of his own. Adams and Ryan Lancaster each had two ground balls coming in from the wings on the draw.
 
The squads traded goals to open the action, with Will Consoli and McKenna getting the early markers for the Stags. A 4-1 run in the second period opened up a 6-3 lead for Fairfield before Wagner's Conor Julich scored with just two seconds left to send the game into the half with the Stags holding a 6-4 advantage.
 
Wagner struck first out of the break, trimming the margin to 6-5 in opening 73 seconds of the second half. But that CJ Sweitzer goal would be the Seahawks' last for a span of 21:08 as the Stags rattled off six in a row to extend the cushion to 12-5 midway through the fourth quarter. Ford scored three times during the run in addition to a man-up goal for Demko and Lynch's pole goal. On the other end of the field, the Stags forced six turnovers and Colin Consoli made four saves in that deciding stretch.
 
Wagner would end the drought with two late goals, but Ford answered for the Stags each time to round out his five-goal performance and seal the 14-7 win.
 
Ethan Sieb led Wagner with two goals and an assist. Jake Mitchell also netted a pair for the Seahawks. Danny Brady made 14 saves protecting the cage for the hosts.
 
Up next, the Stags make their 2023 debut on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium for a Wednesday, Feb 22 visit from Sacred Heart. Opening faceoff under the lights is slated for 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.