FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The top-seeded Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team has punched its ticket to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship game with an exciting 18-11 semifinal victory over the sixth seed, Quinnipiac, on Thursday afternoon at Campus Field. The Pioneers had 11 different goal-scorers in the victory. 

It was a career day for Sacred Heart as Cayden Brodnax tallied his first career hat trick and added an assist for a career-high four points. Michael Moreschi matched his career high of six points, coming from two goals and four helpers. Graduate goalie Alex Pazienza tallied his 600th career save in between the pipes.

The Pioneers will defend their title on Saturday, May 3 at home on Campus Field, with their second consecutive appearance in the MAAC Championship game. 

Records:
#1 Sacred Heart: 12-2 (7-1 MAAC)
#6 Quinnipiac: 3-12, (2-6 MAAC)

Leaders:
Michael Moreschi: 2 points, 4 assists (6 points)
Cayden Brodnax: 3 goals, 1 assist (4 points) 
Ryan Rooney: 3 goals, 1 assist (4 points)
Will Moulton: 2 goals, 2 assists (4 points) 
Jake Ward: 1 goal, 2 assists (3 points)
Matt Pepe: 1 goal, 2 assists (3 points) 

Of Note:
Sacred Heart exploded out of the gate, scoring five goals in the first quarter including a pair for Brodnax and Ryan Rooney.

The Pioneers matched that with another five in the second, including a tally each for John Murray and Will Moulton, pushing SHU ahead 7-1. Quinnipiac scored three straight goals to pull within three, but Moreschi, Garrett Mangels, and Matt Pepe answered with a three-goal run for a 10-4 lead at the half. 

SHU added another five goals in the third quarter, as Rooney and Brodnax capped their hat tricks and Tim Kiely, Jake Ward, and James Moran all found the back of the net. The Pioneers took a 15-5 lead heading into the final frame. 

Murray, Moreschi, and Declan Wilkie all scored in the fourth for Sacred Heart. The Bobcats outscored the Pios in the final quarter, but SHU dominated early and took the 18-11 final to claim a spot in the MAAC Championship game on Saturday. 

Luke Romanek was outstanding from the faceoff x, winning a season-high 18-of-26 while picking up a career-high 15 ground balls. 

Pazienza made 10 saves in goal for SHU and Craig Daria saw some time in the fourth, picking up a save in his stint in between the pipes. 

Up Next: 
The Pioneers will make their second straight appearance in the MAAC Championship game as they will host the #2 seed, Siena, on Campus Field, on Saturday at 12:30 PM.