PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Stony Brook men's lacrosse team (0-1) battled tough at No. 9/10 Rutgers (2-0) and received a standout performance in the cage from sophomore goalie
Jamison MacLachlan, but ultimately fell to the Scarlet Knights, 11-7, on Saturday.
MacLachlan stood on his head all afternoon long as he posted a career-high 23 saves and scooped up three ground balls for the Seawolves in their season opener. MacLachlan's 23 saves are the most by a Stony Brook goalie since Michael Bollinger made 22 saves against Brown on February 22, 2020.
Stony Brook wasted no time as it got on the board first with 13:09 to play in the first quarter. Graduate midfield
Matt Anderson found the back of the net off a feed from junior attack/midfield
Noah Armitage to give the Seawolves an early 1-0 lead.
The Seawolves and Scarlet Knights traded goals over the first 15 minutes as the teams took a 2-2 tie into the second quarter. The second period proved to be pivotal for Rutgers as it outscored Stony Brook, 5-1, in the frame and took a 7-3 lead into the halftime break.
The second quarter marked the difference in the game as both sides played an even second half, scoring four goals apiece.
Anderson led Stony Brook with four points as he recorded his first hat trick of the season and ninth of his career. The graduate also added an assist as he aided the Stony Brook offensive attack.
STATS AND NOTES
- For the second year in a row Anderson has recorded a hat trick on opening day (also scored three goals last year in the season opener against Fairfield on Feb. 12). With his three-goal game, he brings his career total to 55 tallies.
- Senior attack Dylan Pallonetti extended his goal scoring streak to 29 games with his two scores on Saturday afternoon. Pallonetti's goal scoring streak is the second-longest in the nation as he has scored a goal in every collegiate game that he has played in.
- Senior attack Blake Behlen recorded a four-point game in his Stony Brook debut as he scored a goal and dished out three assists. Behlen has scored goals in 26 consecutive games dating to his time at LIU. His goal scoring streak is the third-longest in the nation right behind Pallonetti.
- Armitage recorded a pair of points with a goal and an assist in the game.
- Senior defenseman Michael Sabella picked up a team-high four ground balls.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"I am disappointed about the outcome against a really good team. I thought we left a lot of plays on the field especially on offense and with extra man opportunities. The guys battled hard and JaMo (
Jamison MacLachlan) was fantastic in the cage. We need to watch the film, learn from it, clean up some things and get back to work on Monday," said head coach
Anthony Gilardi as he discussed the Seawolves' season opener at Rutgers.
NEXT UP
Stony Brook continues its two-game road trip to open the 2023 season as it travels to Penn State to take on the Nittany Lions on Saturday, February 18. Face-off is scheduled for noon at Panzer Stadium.
For an inside look at the Seawolves men's lacrosse program, be sure to follow them on
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