BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Richie LaCalandra tallied eight points as the Long Island University men's lacrosse team rolled past Wagner College, 19-8 in its home-opener at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 27.
 
LaCalandra posted four goals and dished out four assists to lead all players with eight points. Sean Boll added five points with four goals, and Blake Behlen posted four points behind two goals and two assists.
 
The Sharks were dominant in every aspect of the game on Saturday, outshooting Wagner 42-22 overall and 34-16 in shots on goal. The Blue and Gold also held a 35-24 edge in ground balls and won 19-of-29 faceoffs. Emerson Tyler led the way at the X, winning 13-of-20 attempts and tallying eight ground balls.
 
LIU scored just 66 seconds into the contest when LaCalandra found the back of the net, igniting a 5-1 run to start the contest. Nick Grassa added a strike late in the stanza to give LIU a 6-2 lead and the Sharks never looked back. Boll, Behlen, and James Butler scored three unanswered goals during the second quarter, and Alex Russell added a highlight-reel goal just before the halftime buzzer to give LIU a 11-4 lead at the half.
 
Five different players scored during a 6-0 run in the second half as the Sharks pulled away and held on for the double-figure final margin.
 
LIU will return to the field on Saturday, March 6 as they open Northeast Conference play against Sacred Heart University beginning at 3:00 p.m.