FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A late rally by host Sacred Heart proved decisive on Wednesday afternoon as Fairfield University Men's Lacrosse was on the short side of 13-12 final on the Pioneers' Campus Field.
Rob Moore and
Jeremiah Wade each netted a hat trick to lead the Stags' attack.
After today's result, the Stags stand at 1-2. Sacred Heart remains unbeaten at 4-0.
"I think we did a much better job than Saturday of executing for 45 minutes. We just have to figure out how to execute for 60 minutes now," said Head Coach Andrew Baxte. "We need be a little bit more disciplined in certain areas of the game, and we need to learn how to handle big moments and what we need in big moments. We're maturing and learning as a team, but we've shown that we're just not there yet."
The decisive run was an eight-goal stretch over a span of 9:48 in the fourth quarter as the Pioneers flipped a 10-5 Fairfield lead to a 13-10 advantage for the hosts. The Stags responded with two late goals as Wade and Moore each completed their hat trick – with Moore's goal trimming the deficit to 13-12 with 54 seconds to play.
Daniel Davis won the ensuing faceoff for the Stags to earn a chance at the equalizer, but Moore's attempt was saved by SHU's Craig Daria in the closing seconds as time ticked away on a 13-12 final.
In addition to hat tricks for Moore and Wade,
Jake Gilbert also had a three-point day with two goals and an assist.
Jason LaMay Jr. added a goal and an assist with single tallies coming from
Devin Lampron,
KJ Delane, and
Shane Elliott.
Will Consoli doled out one assist to cap the scoring for Fairfield.
Davis finished at 13-for-25 on the faceoff X with eight ground balls.
Defensively,
Julian Radossich picked up two ground balls to run his career total to an even 100. The reigning CAA Defensive Player of the Year is the 25th Stag overall and 17th non-faceoff man to reach the century mark.
Owen Hirsch made 10 saves protecting the Fairfield cage.
Sacred Heart was led by three goals apiece by Tommy Bull and Dom Basti. Daria made 14 saves for the Pioneers.
Another MAAC foe awaits the Stags with a visit to Manhattan on Saturday, Feb. 21. Opening faceoff from Gaelic Park in the Bronx is set for 11 a.m.
