BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Led by a seven-point performance by Richie LaCalandra, the Long Island University men's lacrosse team improved to 3-0 in Northeast Conference play with a 13-8 triumph over Sacred Heart University on Saturday, March 20 at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium.
 
LaCalandra continued his breakout sophomore season with four goals and three assists on the day. Entering the weekend, the Port Jefferson Station native ranked fourth in the nation with 6.25 points per game and sixth with 3.00 assists per game. Alex Russell netted four goals on the day, while Blake Behlen added two strikes.
 
On the defensive end, Ryan Blume collected five ground balls and went a perfect 4-for-4 at the faceoff X. Sean Boll and Will Mark added six ground balls each, while Mark was outstanding in between the pipes once again, making 19 saves to earn the win.
 
LIU opened the game with six unanswered goals to take an early and commanding lead, though the Pioneers stopped the bleeding with two quick strikes towards the end of the stanza. A low scoring second period saw the Sharks carry an 8-4 lead into the locker room at the midway point.
 
Sacred Heart continued to shift momentum in the third period, cutting the deficit to just one goal with a three-goal burst. Will Snelders stopped the run with a goal at the end of the shot clock with 3:15 remaining in the period and Alex Russell added another goal with 25 seconds to play. The Sharks eventually scored five unanswered to pull away and remain unbeaten in conference play.
 
The Blue and Gold will return to action on the road at Wagner College on Saturday, March 27 when they take on the Seahawks at 12:00 p.m.