FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Jake Ward scored a game-high four goals and Morgan O'Reilly tallied his 100th career point as the Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team beat Siena 18-8 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener at home on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers had eight different goal-scorers and a handful of milestones in the win.

O'Reilly tallied three points, which was all he needed heading into the game to reach his 100th career point milestone. His three points came from two goals and one assist. First-year James Moran scored his first career goal early in the game and ended with his first career hat trick. Will Moulton had a career-high four points on the day with three goals and one assist. 

Finally, one of the highlight-reel goals of the day came from senior goalkeeper Alex Pazienza as he received the ball on a clear and took advantage of Siena's goalkeeper out of the cage. Pazienza ripped one from the other end of the field for his first career goal, extending the Pios lead 16-6 at 12:20 in the fourth quarter.

Records:
Sacred Heart: 3-4, 1-0 MAAC
Siena: 2-4, 0-1 MAAC

Top Performers:
Jake Ward: 4 goals
Will Moulton: 3 goals, 1 assist
Sal Miccio: 2 goals, 2 assists
James Moran: 3 goals
Morgan O'Reilly: 2 goals, 1 assist
Michael Moreschi: 2 goals 1 assist
Alex Pazienza: 12 saves, 1 goal

Of Note:
After Siena scored first just over a minute and a half into the game, Michael Moreschi scored his first of the day for SHU as the Pioneers went on a seven-goal run, highlighted by Moran's hattrick to take a 7-1 lead. The Saints snapped the run with their second goal of the day at 1:31 in the first, but Sal Miccio added one more for the Pios to give SHU an 8-2 lead heading into the second.

Siena scored first in the second quarter to cut the deficit to five, but Sacred Heart would not let up as Ward, Miccio, Carson Spooner, and Moreschi added four straight goals to put SHU ahead, 12-3 with four minutes left before the break. Siena scored the final goal of the half, but the Pioneers held a 12-4 advantage at halftime.

The two teams traded goals to open the third quarter, but back-to-back goals from Moulton gave SHU a 10-point edge at the end of the third, 15-5.

Siena scored first in the fourth quarter, but Sacred Heart answered with three straight goals, including Pazienza's goalie-goal and O'Reilly's 100th point, as SHU took a commanding 18-6 lead. The visitors scored the final two goals of the game, but the home team came out on top to open conference play with a win, 18-8.

Luke Romanek was 50% (14-of-28) on face-offs, picking up a game-high 11 ground balls. Pazienza tallied 12 saves in the win, and Matt Gruters added two saves during his seven minutes of play.

Up Next:
Sacred Heart continues MAAC play at home next Saturday, March 16, against Manhattan at noon on Campus Field.