April 5, 2002

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Villanova (3-4) at Stony Brook (6-4), Saturday, April 6, 1:00 p.m.

Last Time Out: Stony Brook broke a 3-3 tie late in the third quarter and went on to a 9-7 win over Marist on Wednesday. Holding a 4-3 lead, Kevin Pall erupted for five straight goals for SB as the Seawolves surged to a 9-4 advantage. Matt Campolettano added a goal and an assist while Steve Armsworthy made 13 saves to earn his fifth win of the year.

Saturday's Opponent: Today's game will feature two teams vying for Top 20 recognition. The Wildcats finished last season in the Top 20 and come into the game boasting the top man-up offense in the nation, converting 54.2 percent (13/24) of their attempts. Brian Marks leads the Wildcats in scoring with 23 points (10g, 13a). He is ninth in the country in assists per game (2.0). Teammate Owen Corso is third in the nation in ground balls per game, averaging 7.2 per game. The Wildcats have won two of their last three outings, their only loss a tough 10-7 decision to No. 4 Johns Hopkins on Tuesday night.

Pall's Haul: Kevin Pall just keeps putting up big numbers for the Seawolves. Leading all of Division I with 34 goals, Pall has scored in 39 straight contests, 34 of them being multiple-goal games. Averaging 3.77 goals per game, he is on pace to break his single-season record to 50 goals that he set last season. He is currently on pace to score 53 goals, not counting any postseason play.

The Series: The series is tied at one win apiece. The last meeting was 9-8 overtime win at Villanova back on April 26, 1997. Chris Kollmer scored the overtime tally for the Seawolves to give them the win.

We Like Mike: Senior defenseman Mike Sakowich did something against Marist that he had never done before in a college lacrosse game. He scored. Sakowich first career goal as a Seawolf came in the first quarter on an end-to-end rush and gave the Seawolves a 2-0 lead.

Among The Best: Stony Brook has been flirting with a Top 20 ranking all season long and the numbers show why. Here is a look at where some of the Seawolves stack up among the Division I leaders. Scoring - 1st - Kevin Pall Ground Balls - 6th - Denis Scannell (6.50) Face-Off Percentage - 2nd - Dennis Nafte (.656), 9th - Denis Scannell (.620) GAA - 9th- Steve Armsworthy (7.50)

Conlon Can: Freshman Steve Conlon recorded his first career hat trick last Saturday against Vermont to raise his season-goal total to 11 on the year. He is currently second on the team in scoring with 23 points.

Quick Draw 'Wolves: Entering the week, Stony Brook ranked first in the nation in face-off winning percentage. It did nothing to hurt that status against Marist as the Brook won 15 of 19 draws in the win.

News And Notes: Stony Brook's long-stick middies and close defensemen have accounted for eight goals and seven assists this season.