USAFA, Colo. – Stony Brook men's lacrosse dropped a 12-11 overtime decision against Air Force, as the winner was scored with just 12 seconds remaining in overtime at the U.S. Air Force Academy on Saturday.
Nick Dupuis led the Seawolves with five points while
Dylan Pallonetti led in the goal column with four.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Stony Brook jumped out to the early 3-0 lead just 5:12 in, with a goal from Pallonetti followed by two strikes from Dupuis. Air Force quickly erased the deficit, going on a 3-0 run to tie things at three at the 6:36 mark of the first, finishing the run in just 23 seconds. The Seawolves responded with tallies from Pallonetti and
Justin Bonacci to take a 5-3 lead, before a late goal closed the quarter's scoring with Stony Brook ahead, 5-4. Goalkeeper
Tommy Wilk recorded five saves in the period.
Three goals to start the second extended Air Force's run to 4-0 and gave the Falcons a 7-5 lead at the 12:33 mark of the period. Stony Brook re-took the lead, 8-7 with 3:55 left in the half thanks to goals from Bonacci, Pallonetti and
Collin Williamson. The Seawolves would hold the Falcons scoreless for the final 12:33 of the half to take the lead going into the locker room.
Ryan Barker scored twice in the third, giving Stony Brook leads of 9-8 and 10-9 with his goals, and the Seawolves would carry that 10-9 advantage into the fourth. Stony Brook had the shots on goal advantage in the period, 5-3 and picked up eight ground balls.
Air Force re-tied the game, 10-10 with 10:18 to play before Pallonetti netted his fourth of the day to give Stony Brook the 11-10 lead at 8:06. However, Air Force scored their fourth tying goal of the half with 2:52 to play and forced overtime at 11-11.
Stony Brook got a save from Wilk to open overtime and had three shots of their own on the ensuing possession, but a turnover led to an Air Force possession and a goal from Aidan Tolen.
STATS AND NOTES
- The all-time series between Stony Brook and Air Force now sits at 5-5, and Saturday marked just the second overtime matchup between the two.
- Stony Brook played its first overtime in nine games, needing an extra period for the first time since April 8, 2023.
- Dupuis notched his fourth straight game of at least four points to start the season.
- Pallonetti's 14 shots are the most taken by a Stony Brook player this season.
- Wilk made his first career start in net and had 12 saves on a .500 save percentage.
- Stony Brook recorded assists on nine of its 11 goals on Saturday.
- The Seawolves held a 43-38 advantage on the shot board.
- Saturday's game totaled seven ties and three lead changes.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"Really disappointed for our guys. They fought hard; we just made too many little mistakes that caught up to us. We had plenty of opportunities to earn a win and just didn't finish the plays all over the field," head coach
Anthony Gilardi said. "I have to do a better job of preparing us to execute in the moment. We will travel home, get some rest and get back to work."
UP NEXT
Stony Brook heads home and begins CAA play, facing off against Hampton on Saturday, March 2 at 1 p.m. at LaValle Stadium. Stony Brook's only all-time matchup against Hampton was a 19-3 victory in Virginia last year.
For an inside look at the Seawolves men's lacrosse program, be sure to follow them on
Facebook,
Twitter, and
Instagram.
