FAIRFIELD, Conn. – #18 Fairfield University Men's Lacrosse shut down visiting Providence on Saturday afternoon on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium as the Stags turned in another strong defensive contest along with a season-high offensive output in a 15-7 victory. Jake Gilbert and Devin Lampron each scored four goals for the Stags.
 
With the win, Fairfield improves to 5-0 for the first time since beginning the 2012 campaign with seven consecutive victories. The Stags entered the week ranked #18 by Inside Lacrosse and #20 by USA Lacrosse. Fairfield was the first team out of the USILA Coaches' Poll.
 
Providence falls to 3-3 with the loss.
 
"We wanted to be the more physical team and fly around out there, and we accomplished that," said Head Coach Andrew Baxter. "Between loose balls and effort plays, we just wanted it more today."
 
The Stags led the game wire-to-wire as Gilbert scored 58 seconds in to stake the club to a lead that they would not relinquish. Providence managed only one goal in each of the first two frames, with the Stags taking a 7-2 lead into the intermission. A 6-2 third quarter pushed the lead even further in Fairfield's favor, and the Stags built a 15-5 margin deep into the final frame before the Friars scored twice in the game's final 30 seconds to round out the 15-7 final.
 
Gilbert added an assist to his four goals for a five-point afternoon, while Lampron's four markers pushed his tally to a team-leading 12 markers. Will Consoli also finished with four points on the day, netting a hat trick with one assist in his return to the Fairfield lineup.
 
In total, nine Stags contributed to the scoring. Keegan Lynch and Luke Okupski finished with identical statlines of one goal and two assists, and Rob Moore had one goal and one helper. Rounding out the offense, Daniel Davis scored from the faceoff spot with his second "scoop and score" of the season, and Matt Rice and Luke Fisher each dished out one assist.
 
On the opposite end of the field, Owen Hirsch stood tall in the cage with 14 saves and just five goals allowed. The unit in front of him was paced by two ground balls and four caused turnovers by Julian Radossich as well as Eli Adams with two caused turnovers and two grounders. Nate Livingston scooped three ground balls to cap the effort by the starters on close defense. In total, the Stags pressured Providence into 21 turnovers and won the ground ball battle, 33-27.
 
"We knew that Providence can find good shots inside, and that makes you nervous because it's not a situation where your goalie is necessarily staring the shooter down," Baxter noted of his senior netminder. "But Owen just did a great job reacting and blocking shots, and our defense was all over any loose balls and limiting rebounds and second chances."
 
In addition to his goal, Davis headed the faceoff unit at 12-for-19 on the dot. Rory Thompson flew in from the wing to pick up four ground balls off the restart.
 
All-America midfielder Ryan Bell had a goal and two assists for the Friars, while Jack Horrigan and Jay Wilkerson scored two goals apiece. Dan Donahue made 15 saves protecting the Providence cage.
 
#18 Fairfield Men's Lacrosse is back in action this Tuesday, March 4 for a 4 p.m. contest at St. John's. The Red Storm are 2-3 on the year after an 11-10 overtime loss to Jacksonville on Friday afternoon.

The Stags return to Rafferty Stadium next Saturday, March 8 to host UMass Lowell at noon. Tickets are on sale now at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.