STONY BROOK, N.Y. -- The Stony Brook men's lacrosse team scored five straight goals to close out the game, but the late comeback wasn't enough as the Seawolves fell, 11-9, to Sacred Heart at LaValle Stadium Saturday afternoon. This was the season opener for both teams.

Nagle's Reaction
"We definitely didn't respond defensively today, and we had a great preseason defensively," said head coach Jim Nagle. "We played much stronger in the second half and showed some resilience, but we are a young team and these early-season challenges are going to make us stronger. I'm very confident with the leadership and togetherness on this team."

Highlights
- Sacred Heart opened the game with three straight goals before the Seawolves were able to get on the board. Sophomore Wayne White (Huntington, N.Y.) got things going as he fired one in from the left side.
- The two teams traded goals to close out the opening quarter with the Pioneers up 5-3.
- Sacred Heart dominated the second quarter, scoring four of the five goals. Junior Owen Daly was the lone scorer for Stony Brook, putting away his second of the day after a miscue by the Pioneers.
- Freshman goalie Ryan Erler (Smithtown, N.Y.) came up big for the Seawolves in the first half, tallying 10 saves in his first 30 minutes of action, including eight saves in the second quarter. 
- Sophomore Tom Haun (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) gave Stony Brook a spark with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter, as he fired in his first of the day and two minutes later fed freshman Patrick Kaschalk (Windsor, Ontario) in a man-up opportunity for the Seawolves. 
- Haun added two more in the opening minutes of the final period, including a behind-the-back goal on a quick pass from junior Connor Howell (Sinking Spring, Pa.).
- Sophomore Chris Pickel, Jr., (Manorville, N.Y.) tacked on another as he attacked the left side and buried a pass from classmate Cory VanGinhoven (Fort Mill, N.C.) with inside eight minutes to play to cut the difference to two.
- The Stony Brook defense got a big stop with 4:43 remaining in the game, as the Pioneers were unable to get a look on goal with the shot clock turned on and junior Ryland Rees (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) caused a late turnover to give the Seawolves another possession, but they were unable to capitalize. 

Notes
- Haun notched the eighth multi-goal game of his career and fourth hat trick with three goals on the day.
- Erler and Kaschalk earned starts in their collegiate debuts, as five freshmen saw the field in the opener. 
- Daly finished with a pair of goals, matching his career total entering the season. 

Up Next 
The Seawolves will return to the field on Saturday, Feb. 17 as they travel to No. 12 Penn State for a 2 p.m. game.