The rain continued on Sunday afternoon as the Men's Club Lacrosse team took on Loyola at Rafferty Stadium. The game started off with a bang, as Fairfield and Loyola exchanged goals within the opening minute. CJ Driver (#30) opened the scoring for the Stags with a bouncing shot that found its way into the back of the net.
Loyola responded with back-to-back goals, taking an early 2-1 lead. The Stags answered right away, as Tommy Esposito (#9) ripped home a shot off the faceoff to tie the game. Tempers began to flare between both teams after several minutes of back-and-forth action. The first quarter came to a close with the score tied.
The Stags found themselves down a man to start the second quarter, but after killing off the penalty, Tyler Sacchetti (#3) buried a shot to give Fairfield a 3-2 lead. Loyola responded immediately after the faceoff, tying the game at three. Despite strong pressure from the Stags, a save by the Loyola goalie led to a quick transition goal, putting Loyola ahead 4–3. Once again, Fairfield answered right back to even the score right before the half.
After halftime, the Stags came out determined to regain the lead. They found their rhythm, and Owen Packard (#45) capitalized with a finish in front to make it 5-4. Fairfield struck again shortly after, as Packard added another goal with a low shot to extend the lead to 6-4. The third quarter was controlled by the Stags until Loyola scored late, cutting the lead to one.
The fourth quarter started in Fairfield's favor and even while a man down, Driver won the faceoff, scooped up the ball himself, and scored to give the Stags a 7-5 lead. A back and forth pace in the final quarter as the Stags tried to hang on for the win. Loyola ended up responding with sustained pressure and eventually found the back of the net, making it just a 7-6 game. The Stags hard work amd determination ended up getting them a man-up opportunity. Their crisp ball movement would end up leading to an amazing and talented finish by Joseph Scandalios (#77). Playing a game of keep away against Loyola in the final, the Stags close out the game with an 8-6 victory, ending the season with a gritty statement win.
