PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Stony Brook men's lacrosse team kicked off the 2025 season with a bang on Saturday afternoon, upsetting No. 19 Rutgers 9-8. A 5-0 third-quarter run and clutch defensive play helped the Seawolves overcome a halftime deficit and pull off the power-conference victory.



HOW IT HAPPENED
Stony Brook would concede four goals in the opening minutes but quickly responded with a pair of goals from Gary Correa and Carson Boyle to make it a 4-2 game in favor of the Knights heading into the second.

 

Each team added a pair of goals in the second quarter, as goals from Tanner Williams and Ray O'Brien helped Stony Brook keep pace with Rutgers, who held a 6-4 lead going into the half.



Rutgers opened the second half scoring with a goal in the opening minute. The Seawolves continued its trend of quick responses with a Boyle goal two minutes later as the Knights clung to a 7-5 lead. Stout defense kept both offenses at bay for the next six minutes until Justin Bonacci broke through the Rutgers defense to make it a one-goal game and jumpstart the Stony Brook offense.

Just 27 seconds later, the Seawolves tied things up on a no-look behind-the-back goal from Boyle. Stony Brook capped off its difference-making 5-0 third-quarter run with a pair of goals from Williams and O'Brien.



Now leading 9-7 in the final quarter of play, Seawolf goalie Jamison MacLachlan made his presence felt, making three big stops following a goal from the Knights to open the quarter. Rutgers kept things interesting in the final moments, but clutch defense from Jaden Baldwin and Ryan Dodge helped Stony Brook drain out the clock and secure the ranked win.



STATS AND NOTES

• In his Stony Brook debut, Boyle registered a team-high three goals.
• MacLachlan tallied 13 saves in net, good for a .619 save percentage.
• Williams made a major impact in his collegiate debut, tallying two goals and an assist.
• O'Brien scored two goals, including the first at the Division I level.
• Correa notched his first career goal.
• Robbie Smith (7-11) and Chris Esposito (5-8) helped Stony Brook win the faceoff battle 12-9.
• Today's win is the Seawolves' first ranked win since they defeated No. 19 UAlbany on March 27, 2021.
• Stony Brook picks up its seventh win over Rutgers, improving its record to 7-9 all-time against the Scarlet Knights.

QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES 
"I am really proud of the guys. They earned the right to win with their prep during the week, and when it came down to it, they didn't flinch when we got down 4-0 quick," head coach Anthony Gilardi said postgame. "They stuck to the plan, stuck together, and earned a hard-fought win against a really good team."

UP NEXT
Stony Brook will stay on the road for its next matchup, traveling to Chapel Hill to take on No. 16 North Carolina next Friday at 6:00 p.m.

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