STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Freshman Noah Armitage is making the most of his opportunity for increased responsibility with the Stony Brook men's lacrosse team.

Armitage scored his first collegiate goal in Saturday's win at Rutgers. Then, three days later, he entered the starting lineup for the first time and again found the back of the net — this time tallying the game-tying goal with 2 minutes, 16 seconds remaining in an eventual 13-12 overtime win against Sacred Heart.

Armitage, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound attacker from British Columbia, also recorded his first two career assists in the win against the Pioneers.

"Noah has done a great job of battling through injuries in the fall and preseason to be able to put himself mentally and physically in position to earn minutes on the field and to make some big plays," coach Anthony Gilardi said. "We are excited to see him continue to grow and improve."

Armitage earned his first collegiate start after fellow Canadian Patrick Kaschalk suffered a knee injury during the third quarter against Rutgers.

Meanwhile, Armitage may have even more big moments on the horizon.

He already has made the cut as one of 32 finalists to represent Canada in the World Lacrosse Men's U19 World Championship to be held in Limerick, Ireland, July 9-18.

Armitage had been one of roughly 300 applicants for the team and already has advanced past a 73-player tryout held in Ontario in October.

The 23-man team will be formed after a May 25 tryout in Vancouver.

Armitage has represented British Columbia before, but has never had the opportunity to play for his country.

Meanwhile, Armitage was "super excited" to earn his first collegiate start on Tuesday.

"There definitely were a few butterflies in my stomach," he said. "It just kept me in check. I was thankful that Coach Gilardi trusted in me to start the game. My family was watching back home. My grandparents were emailing me before the game."

As for the game-tying goal in the comeback win against Sacred Heart, the chemistry with Connor Grippe was evident.

"I was inside and I saw Grippe coming around the crease," Armitage said. "And I saw open field, so I cut. We made eye contact. Time kind of stopped a little bit there. I caught the ball and just finished. It was really exciting. I knew the play was going to happen before he even passed it."

With the win — already their third in overtime this season, all via goals from Caleb Pearson — the Seawolves have raced to a 5-1 start in Gilardi's first year at the helm. That matches the best start by a head coach in program history.

Stony Brook, which is now receiving votes in the USILA poll, next plays at Bryant on Saturday.

"It's been unreal," Armitage said. "We've been in four one-goal game wins. It's crazy with Caleb coming through in all of those. It's a really big team moment for us."