March 14, 2003

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Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook men's lacrosse team will play host to the nationally-ranked Maryland Terrapins on Saturday at LaValle Stadium. Maryland enters the game ranked third in the nation, the highest ranked opponent that Stony Brook has faced in three seasons since No. 2 Virginia came to town in 2000. Face-off is 1 p.m.

Backdrop: The No. 3 Maryland Terrapins visit Stony Brook for the first time as it takes on the Seawolves at LaValle Stadium. It is Maryland's first trip to Long Island in more than 10 years and marks the first time that head coach John Espey has faced the Terrapins since he was the head coach at Duke.

Series Notes: The two teams have never met on a lacrosse field but have faced each other on the basketball court. The Terps earned a 107-59 win at Cole Field House on December 6, 2000 - the year that Maryland went on to reach the Final Four.

Scouting The Terps:* Ryan Moran, Joe Walter and Brian Hunt are all tied for the team lead in goals scored with eight. Moran and Walter each scored four goals in Tuesday's 14-8 win over Bucknell. * Maryland's defense is allowing a stingy 7.67 goals per game. * There are nine Long Island natives on the Maryland roster, including Stony Brook natives Chris and Willy Passavia (Ward Melville HS). Ryan Moran grew up in nearby Setauket.

About The Seawolves: * George LaFlare leads the team in scoring with 10 points after a six-point effort against Binghamton. He is the only Seawolf to record a point in all three games this season. * Rookie Jason Cappadoro has been solid on attack for SB, recording a team-best six goals in three games. * Stony Brook's starting lineup features four freshman and six underclassmen. The close defense is made up of two sophomores and a freshman. * There are four Seawolves on the 2003 roster from Maryland - the most ever for SB.

Mr. Face-Off: Senior Dennis Nafte has been dominant on face-offs this season, winning a staggering 38 of 54 draws for a .704 winning percentage which is tops in the America East. His prowess on face-offs has allowed him to rack up a team-high 24 ground balls.

Versus Ranked Opponents: Since joining the Division I level, the Seawolves are 2-36 against opponents ranked in the Top 20. Fourteen of those 39 matchups were against teams ranked in the Top 10, seven in the Top 5. The highest ranked opponent that SB has ever faced was the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels on April 21, 1991 -- the highest at home was No. 2 Virginia on March 18, 2000. The Seawolves are 1-20 at home against ranked teams, the only win coming against No. 16 UMBC in 2001.

LaFlare On Fire: Junior George LaFlare enjoyed his best day in a Seawolf uniform against Binghamton by recording two goals and a career-high four assists. The six-point outburst was a single-game best for LaFlare who leads the team in points scored (10) after three games. LaFlare totaled 19 points in 17 games last season.

All In The Family: Saturday's game marks another homecoming for a familiar face at Stony Brook as Maryland's assistant media relations director Jason Yellin returns home. Yellin grew up in Stony Brook and graduated from Stony Brook in 1996. During his years at the Brook, he served as a student intern in the Office of Media Relations.

Hat's Off To Jason: Rookie attackman Jason Cappadoro scored three times in Wednesday's 9-4 win over Binghamton. It was his second hat trick in three games and he now leads the team in goals scored with six.

News And Notes: Head coach John Espey was 0-5 against Maryland while he was at Duke . . . senior Kevin Shea scored twice against Binghamton, his second two-goal game this season.

A Nice Ring To It: On Saturday, March 22, each member of the 2002 America East Championship Team will receive their championship rings during halftime of the Navy game. At that time, the championship banner will also be unveiled.