STONY BROOK, N.Y. — The number Tom Haun wears on his jersey is double deuces, but so far during the 2020 season the number he seems to have been focused on is three.
 
The Stony Brook men's lacrosse senior attacker has recorded hat tricks in each of the Seawolves' first two games.
 
He enters Saturday's 1 p.m. game against Brown at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium with 85 career goals, nine away from entering Stony Brook's career top-10 list.
 
"To crack that list would be cool," said Haun, a Sachem North High School product from Ronkonkoma. "I've seen that list, and I grew up watching those guys. Just to be recognized with those guys would be awesome."
 
The top-10 list includes Seawolf greats such as All-American Mike Rooney and Stony Brook Hall of Famer Jordan McBride.
 
Haun is well on his way to being among the best is Stony Brook's rich lacrosse tradition, He defers credit to others.
 
"My coaches and my teammates put me in good positions," Haun said about being able to score goals. "I just stay in my areas and am able to finish, but I give all the credit to my teammates. They get me the ball and I'm lucky to finish on my end."
 
As a freshman in 2017, Haun posted 23 goals on his way to being named to the America East's All-Rookie team. He then bounced right back as a sophomore and netted 22 goals, this time earning second-team All-America East honors.
 
Last season, as a junior, Haun broke out with a team-best 34 goals. That production earned him a place on the America East first-team all-conference list.
 
"Coming in freshman year, I was just excited to be on the field," Haun said. "I played with some great guys then and my mentors, Ryan Bitzer and Alex Corpolongo, who were seniors then. They showed me the way. From there, since sophomore year I knew I wanted the ball in my stick, and it's only grown from there.
 
"In our new offense under Coach G [Anthony Gilardi], he wants me to have the ball in my stick. I've just become more comfortable with the ball since my freshman year."
 
Haun has become so comfortable with the ball that he has 15 career hat tricks, including those two this season, and 24 games in which he has scored multiple goals.
 
He credits his comfort to being a Long Islander and being able to play his college lacrosse so close to home.
 
"I ended up committing to Stony Brook in October of my sophomore year," Haun recalled. "I was 15 years old. It was crazy, but it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life. I was so young, but I kind of wanted to stay home. I'm a Long Island guy, so I fit in well on my visit, and the rest is history. I've been lucky enough to carve out a pretty good career."
 
Being so close to home also allows his family and friends to watch him play in person.
 
"Having my family so close motivates me," Haun said. "My dad has been at every game since I've been in third grade. I really don't feel comfortable until I see him in the crowd. I'm always looking for him, and when I see him I get settled in. I play for my family and friends."
 
As far as what Haun wants to the future, his goals have always remained the same.
 
"As a team, we want to win the America East Championship," he said. "That's always the goal. I want that for this team more than anything."