PHILADELPHIA, Pa.— Tucker Spencer scored a career-high seven goals to lead the Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team to a 12-11 victory over Saint Joseph's on the road to open the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon. Ryan Rooney tallied a career-high five points from three goals and two assists, while John Murray and Will Moulton each added a goal. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 1-0
Saint Joseph's: 0-1

Leaders:
Tucker Spencer: 7 goals
Ryan Rooney: 3 goals, 2 assists 
John Murray: 1 goal, 4 assists
Jake Ward: 2 assists

Of Note:
Spencer quickly opened the day with his first goal before Saint Joe's scored two in a row to take its only lead. The Pioneers answered with three straight goals, including two from Spencer, to take a 4-2 lead after the first quarter. 

Spencer added one more to get the second quarter started, to give SHU a 5-2 advantage. SJU answered with two consecutive goals to pull within one, but Sacred Heart once again scored three straight goals, including a pair from Rooney and one from Murray, to hold an 8-4 advantage at the half. 

The Hawks offense turned it around in the second half, outscoring SHU 2-1 in the third quarter. Another Spencer goal extended the Pioneers lead, 9-4, but Saint Joe's scored back-to-back goals to pull 9-6, heading into the final frame.

The Hawks continued their four-goal run to cut the deficit to one, 9-8, in the opening two and a half minutes of play.  Rooney completed his hat trick to put SHU back ahead by two before both teams traded goals through the game's remaining six and a half minutes. With SHU leading by two, The Hawks pulled within one with 10 seconds remaining, but Luke Romanek won the final face-off of the game to hold possession and secure the win. 

Romanek dominated face-offs, going 17-25, while picking up eight ground balls. Alex Pazienza made 15 saves in goal for the Pioneers. 

Up Next: 
Sacred Heart will return to action at home next Saturday, February 15, at noon to face Holy Cross on Campus Field.