FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Jake Ward scored a game-high four goals to lead the Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team to a 16-4 victory over Virginia Military Institute at home in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers had 11 different goal scorers in their first win of the season. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 1-7 (1-2 MAAC)
VMI: 4-5, (1-2 MAAC)

Top Performances:
Jake Ward: 4 goals
Carson Spooner: 3 goals
Morgan O'Reilly: 2 goals, 2 assists
Jake Garb: 1 goal, 3 assists

Goalkeepers:
Alex Pazienza:  12 saves (57:17)
Nicky LaBanco: 1 save (2:43)

Of Note:
Despite VMI getting on the board first at 11:38, Sacred Heart answered right away with a face-off win by Nicky Casano, who brought it right in for the Pioneers' first goal, six second later. The Pioneers scored five straight goals for a 5-1 lead before VMI closed out the opening quarter with one of their own to make it 6-2 after one.

Jake Ward completely owned the second quarter, scoring all three of the Pioneers goals as SHU took an 8-3 lead at the half.

The Keydets opened the second half with a goal at 13:22, but it would be the last time they scored as the Pioneers dominated the second half with eight unanswered tallies to capture the team's first win of the season.

MP Thomas had a dominating 10 of 14 wins in face-offs, and Casano went 4-8.

Up Next:
Sacred Heart will jump back on the road for a weeknight showdown as they travel to Marist on Wednesday, March 29, at 7:00 PM.