STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Patrick Kaschalk had started 30 games during his collegiate career and is projected to be a first-round pick in the National Lacrosse League draft. However, he shifted to a role off the bench this season upon Dylan Pallonetti's arrival from Maryland.

Yet with Tom Haun banged up and unavailable on Saturday, Kaschalk made his first start of the season in a pivotal game against 19th-ranked UAlbany. He proceeded to lead the team with a hat trick as the Seawolves topped the Great Danes, 16-10, at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.

"Pat Kaschalk's a guy who works every day," coach Anthony Gilardi said. "He's ready. We've kind of rode three attackmen. But Pat had an unbelievable two weeks of practice. This week, with Tommy out of practice, he stepped up. And it was his chance."

Said Kaschalk: "I've had the next-man-up mentality, working hard and trying to still be in the group. Today Tom couldn't be out there. So I had to step up and do my job. I did one-sixth out there. And we ended up being successful."

The Seawolves blitzed UAlbany.

Sparked by a pair of early goals from Caleb Pearson, Stony Brook raced to a 6-1 first-quarter lead. And when Matt DeMeo tallied the final goal of that spurt, UAlbany called timeout with 5:22 remaining in the period and replaced Liam Donnelly with Will Ramos in goal.

The Great Danes eventually pulled within a goal, but Devin O'Leary halted the run with a goal with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter to send Stony Brook into halftime leading 7-5.

The Seawolves never trailed.

Matt Anderson scored to open the third quarter. And each time UAlbany pulled within a pair of goals the rest of the way, Pallonetti and then Kaschalk twice tallied goals to restore a cushion.

Kaschalk produced a hat trick — his first three goals of the season.

Chris Pickel Jr., Pallonetti, Cory VanGinhoven and Pearson had two goals apiece.

Stony Brook improved to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in America East.

Gilardi also saluted Connor Grippe, who tallied a goal in Wayne White's absence.

"This is a big win," Kaschalk said. "Anything in conference is big. Albany is even a little bigger."