FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The score was tied six times before the Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team outlasted Quinnipiac in its home opener, 13-10. The Pioneers showed a strong push in the final ten minutes of the game and outscored the Bobcats, 4-1, to grab its first win over the in-state foe since 2012. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 1-1
Quinnipiac: 1-3
 
Top Performers:
Skyler Wilds: 3 points, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 SOG, 1 CT
Carson Spooner: 3 points, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 SOG, 2 GB, 1 CT
Donovan Lacey: 3 points, 1 goal, 2 assists, 2 SOG, 3 GB
Sal Miccio: 4 points, 1 goal, 3 assists, 5 SOG
 
Goalies:
Alex Pazienza (SHU): W, 1-0 | 8 saves, 8 goals
Nicky LaBanca (SHU): 5 saves, 2 goals
Nick DiMuccio (QU): L, 1-3 | 15 saves, 13 goals
 
Up Next:
Sacred Heart hosts cross-town rival Fairfield on Tuesday at 7 p.m. 
 
Of Note:
Trailing by just one goal in the first quarter, Skyler Wilde book ended a 5-0 scoring run that stemmed across the first and second quarter to give SHU the lead at the half, 6-2. The Pioneers held the Bobcats scoreless in the second quarter, outscoring them, 4-0. 
 
Quinnipiac came out hot to start the second half and netted four-straight to tie the game at six-all. The two teams would go on to trade goals until the score was even at 9 with 13:34 still left to play. 
 
Junior Johnny Morgan sped past his defender and fired it into the back of the net for the eventual game-winning goal at the 9:25 mark in the fourth quarter. The Bobcats would get one more, but the Pioneers outscored the visitors, 3-1, following Morgan's goal. 
 
Sophomore Sal Miccio led SHU with four points thanks to a career-high three assists. Tonight marked Miccio's first multi-assist game as he also netted the Pioneers' third goal of the game. 
 
Four Pioneers posted two goals apiece, including Carson Spooner, Jake Ward, Wilde and Morgan. 
 
Sacred Heart went 7-for-27 in the faceoff circle, led by Daniel Rodriguez who was 6-for-22. Connor Callihan went 1-for-5. Rodriguez also matched Ryan Stout as the team leader in ground balls with four. 
 
Sophomore Alex Pazienza picked up his first career win between the pipes. He also stopped a career-high of eight as he played the entire second half. Junior Nicky LaBanca started off the night and made five saves. 
 
As a team, the Pioneers outshot the Bobcats, 43-37, and only committed 13 turnovers compared to Quinnipiac's 22.