FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sophomore goalkeeper Will Mark set a new program record with 21 saves during the 2021 season debut for the Long Island University men's lacrosse team but it was not enough to lift the Sharks past Sacred Heart University. The Pioneers used two late tallies to hold off LIU by a 12-10 margin.
 
Mark, who led the nation in saves per game during the shortened 2020 season, broke his own program record of 19 saves set against Fairfield University on March 3, 2020. Mark's 21 saves also marks the highest single-game total in Division I competition this spring.
 
Richie LaCalandra led the Blue and Gold with five points, scoring three times and dishing out two assists. Jake Gillis also found the back of the net three times as the only other multi-point scorer for the Sharks.
 
After the Pioneers scored the opening tally, LIU responded with two goals over the next three minutes to take a 2-1 lead at the 9:17 mark of the first quarter. Sacred Heart took momentum with seven unanswered goals late into the second quarter, grabbing an 8-2 lead with 3:33 remaining in the first half. LIU responded in a big way before the intermission, scoring three times to cut the deficit to three goals at the midway mark, and LaCalandra added another quick strike to open the third quarter, bringing LIU within two.
 
The Sharks continued to take control for the next 20 minutes, scoring four of the next five goals to take a 10-9 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Pioneer defense had the response, however, holding LIU scoreless the rest of the way while the offense tacked on three unanswered goals to pull back ahead and ultimately earn the 12-10 victory.
 
LIU will have one final tune-up before entering conference play, taking on Wagner College in a non-conference meeting on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium beginning at 12:00 p.m.