FAIRFIELD, Conn.-- For the second time this season, Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse junior John Murray was the overtime hero as the Pioneers defeated Marist, 13-12, at home in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action on Saturday afternoon. SHU has won four in a row and has had four games decided in overtime this year. 

With the win, Pioneers goalkeeper Alex Pazienza becomes the all-time win leader in Sacred Heart program history with 26. 

Records: 
Sacred Heart: 8-2, (4-1 MAAC) 
Marist: 5-6, (3-2 MAAC)

Stat Leaders:
John Murray: 2 goals, 2 assists (4 points) 
Tucker Spencer: 3 goals, (3 points)
Dom Basti: 2 goals, 1 assist (3 points)
Michael Moreschi: 1 goal, 2 assists (3 points) 
Tim Kiely: 1 goal, 2 assists (3 points)
Declan Wilkie: 2 goals (2 points) 

Of Note:
Trailing by two heading into the fourth quarter, Sacred Heart scored three straight goals from John Murray, Michael Moreschi, and James Moran, to come from behind and take an 11-10 lead with 10:51 left in the frame. Marist scored two in a row to take a 12-11 edge with 3:53 left to play. With eight seconds left in regulation, Murray found Tim Kiely wide open to rip a shot past Marist and force overtime on Campus Field. 

An offside call for Marist gave Sacred Heart possession with 52 seconds left to play, in overtime. After a wide shot by Tucker Spencer, the Pios maintained possession the ball. With time winding down, Murray beat his defender for a crease-diving goal with two seconds on the clock to secure the 13-12 overtime win for Sacred Heart. 

To open the game, Marist scored just 25 seconds into play, but Matt Pepe answered with a man-up goal to get SHU on the board, sparking a five goal run, with a pair from Declan Wilkie, one from Spencer, and one for Dom Basti. SHU led 5-1 heading into the second quarter. 

The Red Foxes flipped the script in the second period, outscoring the Pios 4-1 but Spencer scored his second of the day to give SHU a 6-5 edge heading into halftime. 

Marist scored three straight goals to take an 8-6 lead through the opening minutes of the third quarter. Spencer scored his third of the day to cut it to one, but the Red Roxes answered to jump back ahead by two. Basti scored his second of the day as the Pios once again cut the deficit to one, but Marist answered again to jump ahead 10-8 heading into the fourth. From there SHU outscored Marist 5-1 through the fourth and overtime periods. 

Pazienza had four saves in goal as he secured the victory, becoming the all-time wins leader in Sacred Heart men's lacrosse program history. 

Luke Romanek went 12-for-27 from the face-off x and picked up a team-high five ground balls. MP Thomas went 1-2 for his face-offs reps.  

Up Next: 
Sacred Heart will return to action on Saturday, April 5 at noon, making the short trip to Quinnipiac.