FAIRFIELD, Conn.-- Jake Ward tallied seven points to lead the Sacred Heart men's lacrosse team to a 15-8 victory over Canisius in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season finale at home on senior day on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers have secured a spot in the MAAC postseason tournament and will find out their opponent later this evening. 

Records: 
Sacred Heart: 5-9, (5-4 MAAC)
Canisius: 2-13, (1-8 MAAC)

Top Performers: 
Jake Ward: 5 goals, 2 assists
Jake Garb: 2 goals, 2 assists
Sal Miccio: 3 goals
Skyler Wilde: 3 goals 

Goalkeepers:
Alex Pazienza: 8 saves
Nicky LaBanca: 2 saves 

Of Note: 
Ward recorded a game-high five goals and added two assists to lead Sacred Heart to a senior day victory in the regular season finale on Campus Field. 

After a 5-3 lead after the first quarter, the Pioneers used an explosive second quarter to go ahead by seven, 12-5. Sal Miccio opened the second quarter with a goal at 13:52 to start a six-goal run for an 11-3 lead. Canisius scored back-to-back goals to cut the deficit, to 11-5 but Skyler Wilde added one more for SHU at 1:11 in the second to claim the 12-5 halftime lead. 

Both teams scored twice in the third quarter but Sacred Heart held the edge, 14-7 heading into the fourth. 

Ward would score one last time for Sacred Heart and Canisius tallied the last of the game at 6:26 as Sacred Heart secured the 15-8 win. 

Up Next:
The Pioneers have secured a spot in the MAAC men's lacrosse postseason tournament but will wait on final seedings at the conclusion of the Manhattan vs Wagner game this evening. SHU will make its first postseason appearance since the 2019 Northeast Conference semifinal.