FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Junior Ryan Stout called game as the Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team erased a three-goal halftime deficit in an overtime-thriller on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers upset Hobart, 9-8, to open the Northeast Conference slate. SHU is now 1-0 to start NEC play for the first time since 2019. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 3-3, 1-0
Hobart: 2-3, 0-1
 
Top Performers:
Morgan O'Reilly: 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 SOG, 2 GB
Carson Spooner: 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 SOG
Sal Miccio: 2 assists, 2 SOG, 1 CT
 
Goalies:
Nicky LaBanca (SHU): (W, 2-1) 14 saves, 8 goals
Kevin Holtby (HOB): (L, 2-3) 10 saves, 9 goals
 
Up Next: 
The Pioneers host Mount St. Mary's on Saturday as they continue their three-game home stint. 
 
Of Note:
The Statesmen outscored the Pioneers, 4-1, in the second quarter as the visitors held a three-goal lead at the halftime break, 6-3. 
 
SHU came out strong in the second half and held Hobart to just two goals in the final 30 minutes. The Statesmen scored their final goal with 14 minutes remaining in regulation to grow a two-goal lead. Less than three minutes later, Sal Miccio dished to Morgan O'Reilly followed by an unassisted goal from Skyler Wilde to knot the score at eight-all and send the game into overtime. 
 
Halfway through the extra frame, O'Reilly found Stout on the right side who snuck it past the Hobart goalie for the game-winner. 
 
The win is SHU's first since 2017 over Hobart as it is now 4-6 in the all-time series. 
 
All nine of Sacred Heart's goals came during even opportunities as the penalty difference was 6-2 in Hobart's favor. The Statesmen went 2-6 in extra-man opportunities. 
 
Three Pioneers posted multi-point performances led by O'Reilly with four. The Sophomore filled the stat sheet with two goals, two assists, four shots on goal and two ground balls. 

The win is Nick LaBanca's second in a row in between the pipes as he posted his second consecutive game of double-digit saves with 14.