Nov. 1, 2001

The Matchup: Stony Brook (6-6-2, 3-5-1) continues its quest for a berth in the America East Conference championship as the Seawolves travel to face Vermont and Hartford to close out its conference schedule. The Seawolves came up big last weekend with a 1-0 upset of Hofstra and a 2-1 overtime win over Drexel to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Vermont (3-8-2, 2-6-1) was eliminated last weekend as the Catamounts fell 2-0 to BU. Hartford (10-5-2, 6-2-1) clinched a playoff spot with a 4-0 shutout of Northeastern.

Series History: Stony Brook has never faced either Vermont or Hartford.

Last Weekend: Before last weekend, Stony Brook had won only once in its previous eight games and their chances for a spot in the conference tournament seemed all but impossible. But with their backs against the wall, the Seawolves earned two exciting wins at home to remain in contention for the postseason. Stony Brook, which had not beaten local rival Hofstra in 20 years, came away with a 1-0 win on Friday. The Seawolves followed that up with a come-from-behind 2-1 overtime victory over Drexel in the home finale on Sunday.

Jamie Gaither proved to be the hero in both games, as the senior netted both gamewinners. Gaither took a cross from freshman Mike Salvador in the 53rd minute against Hofstra and rifled a 10-yard shot to the far post for a 1-0 lead. SBU held on for the win behind the play of sophomore keeper Dan Ferrin, who returned after a two-game absence due to injury. Ferrin made five saves to post his third shutout of the season and 13th of his career.

Sunday proved to be another exciting affair as the Seawolves played host to Drexel in the last home game of the season. The Dragons struck first, scoring in the 40th minute. An energized Stony Brook countered in the second half when junior Ivan Perez tallied his first career goal off an assist from freshman Akil Jordan with just under 30 minutes to play.

Ferrin stepped up again with several key saves to help the Seawolves hold off Drexel, and Stony Brook headed into its fifth overtime game of the year.

Gaither needed less than five minutes to come through in the clutch again, as he gathered the rebound of a Kevin Cameron shot and sliced it past Drexel's John Hutchins for the win.

Ferrin made six saves to improve to 6-4-2 this season.

Scouting Vermont : The Catamounts, voted preseason favorite to capture the league title, upset Northeastern 2-1 last week to snap a three-game streak without a win, but fell 2-0 to Boston University on Sunday. The loss eliminated UVM from making the conference tournament.

Vermont has scored just 13 goals this season, led by Jamie Farrell's five. In the goal, David Sullivan has played all 1241 minutes, recording a goals-against average of 1.45 and making 59 saves.

Scouting Hartford: The Hawks, on the other hand, whose 6-2-1 conference record is second-best in the league, are 10-5-2 overall but lost three straight before Sunday's 4-0 shutout of Northeastern. Hartford opened the season win nine wins in its first 13 games, but fell into a three-game skid with setbacks against New Hampshire, Holy Cross and BU.

Freshman Alon Lubezky, the nation's second-leading scorer, has gotten off to a torrid start in his career, tallying 17 goals and seven assists this season to lead the Hawks, who are sixth in the nation in scoring as a team. Freshman Easton Wilson has tallied nine times, while Asaf Lubezky and Marcin Just have chipped in with seven goals apiece. Hartford has outscored its opponents 49-22 in 17 games.

Senior Chris Doyle has played the bulk of the minutes in the goal, recording a GAA of just 1.23 in 1609 minutes. His 106 saves and five shutouts lead the conference

Gamewinning Gaither: Jamie Gaither closed out his Senior Day in style on Sunday, as his goal in overtime lifted SBU to the win over Drexel and kept the Seawolves in contention for postseason play.

Gaither, who leads the team with five goals and two assists this season, has tallied four gamewinners in the Seawolves' six victories. He scored the Seawolves' only goal in a 1-0 upset over Hofstra.

Back to Back: Last weekend's victories marked the first time Stony Brook has won back-to-back games since the Seawolves defeated Binghamton 1-0 on Sept. 12 and won 3-2 in overtime over Sacred Heart on Sept. 26.

After that Sacred Heart win, Stony Brook went just 1-6-1 in its next eight games.

Working Overtime: The Seawolves have not lost in five overtime games this year, going 3-0-2. SBU tied Rider 1-1 in the second game of the season and knotted Delaware 2-2 on Oct. 14. Sacred Heart and Maine both fell to Stony Brook in extra periods behind the heroics of freshman Jude Osei Bonsu, who scored both gamewinning goals.

Stony Brook has not lost an overtime contest since 1999, posting a record of 5-0-5 in its last 10 overtime games.

Regional Return: Stony Brook, which fell out of the NSCAA New York Region rankings for the first time this season two weeks ago, reentered in the No. 9 spot with last weekend's wins. Hofstra fell three spots to No. 6 after losing to both Stony Brook and Albany over the weekend. The Seawolves were ranked throughout 2000, climibing as high as No. 2, and opened this year at No. 6.

Finding the Net: Stony Brook's two goals against the Dragons on Sunday marked the first time the Seawolves have scored multiple goals in a game since a 2-2 overtime tie with Delaware on Oct. 14.

The Seawolves have totaled more than two goals just once this year, with three against Sacred Heart on Sept. 26.

In the Hunt: With last weekend's wins, Stony Brook remains in contention for a spot in the America East Conference Tournament. But the Seawolves will need a little help in order to make the cut.

Four teams--Towson, Boston University, Hartford and Northeastern--have locked up spots in the six-team tournament. Hofstra, with a record of 5-4-0 and 15 points, is on the verge of making the tournament as well, with dates this weekend at Maine and New Hampshire.

The real battle is for the sixth and final spot. Delaware currently has a slight edge, with a 4-4-1 record and 13 points. However, the Blue Hens travel to face league leader BU and Northeastern this weekend in a pair of tough conference road games.

Albany upset Hofstra on Sunday to make a late run in the playoff race, as the Great Danes are just one point behind Delaware. Albany hosts second-place Hartford and Vermont this weekend to close out its schedule.

New Hampshire is next with a 3-4-2 record and 11 points, one more than the Seawolves. UNH hosts Drexel and Hofstra this weekend.

If Stony Brook wins both its games this weekend, the Seawolves will have 16 total points. Victories earn three points while ties earn one point. Whether or not the Seawolves qualify will depend on how the four teams ahead of them come out of this weekend.

News and Notes: Junior Ivan Perez scored his first career goal over the weekend with the equalizer against Drexel . . . freshman Mike Salvador and Kevin Cameron each had an assist over the weekend, both are second on the team with five points apiece . . . keeper Dan Ferrin improved his GAA to just 1.76, allowing just one goal in almost 185 minutes this weekend.