In a much-needed win with playoff season approaching, the Stony Brook men’s lacrosse team dominated the second half against the second-to-worst Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) team.
On Saturday afternoon, the Seawolves (6-6, 2-3 CAA) bested the Monmouth Hawks (4-8, 1-4 CAA) at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. After trailing by two at halftime, Stony Brook turned up in the second half and scored the game’s final eight goals en route to a 13-9 victory.
Despite a dominant performance by their face-off unit throughout the day, efficiency struggles from the Seawolves’ offense resulted in them needing to mount a comeback. Stony Brook scored just five first-half goals on 26 shots, in large part due to Monmouth goalkeeper Tommy Heller.
Last year, Heller made a career-high tying 19 saves when the Hawks upset Stony Brook at LaValle Stadium, and he got off to a similar start on Saturday. Heller stopped 13 shots in the opening 30 minutes, retaining his status as a Seawolves villain.
However, the second half was a different story. Although Monmouth scored the third period’s first two goals to make it 9-5, it was all Stony Brook from there. The hosts’ charge back essentially came down to figuring out Heller. After posting a .722 save percentage in the first half, the Hawks’ netminder went backwards to a .333 mark in the second half.
In the final two periods, the Seawolves continued to have numerous scoring opportunities compared to their opponents due to their success at the X. FOGO Robbie Smith took all of Stony Brook’s face-offs and went 20-for-25 on the day, handling all four of the faces thrown at him by Monmouth.
Heading into the final frame, the Seawolves were still down 9-8. Just over three minutes into the fourth quarter, attackman Justin Bonacci tied things up from a feed by midfielder Collin Williamson. After the Hawks secured a rare win on the ensuing face-off, the sides traded two empty possessions. On Monmouth’s third try, goaltender Jamison MacLachlan saved an attempt from Monmouth midfielder Luke Cole, leading to Bonacci and Williamson combining for another goal, though the roles were reversed this time.
After Smith secured the following face-off, Stony Brook scored again. In that attacking set, it had five goes at the cage, with the final one — coming from the stick of midfielder Gary Correa — finding the back of the net.
The Seawolves continued to extend their advantage to close things out, with the final strike by attackman Ray O’Brien landing on an empty net.
Head coach Anthony Gilardi did not speak to the media after the game.
Stony Brook outshot the Hawks 52 (30 shots on goal) to 28 (17 shots on goal).
The Seawolves had their best performance at the X of 2025 by far, scooping up 41 ground balls to Monmouth’s 20 and went +3 (13-16) on the turnover differential.
Williamson led Stony Brook in scoring with four goals. Conversely, Monmouth midfielder Sean Ketchen had the best individual offensive performance on his team, with a hat trick to go with an assist.
MacLachlan finished with eight saves for a .471 save percentage. Heller made 17 total stops for a .567 mark.
Before facing last-place Hampton to close out the regular season, the Seawolves’ all-important contest will be next week against the Drexel Dragons in Philadelphia, Pa. The Dragons are 6-6 overall and 3-2 in CAA play following a 14-6 win over Hofstra. Opening face-off is scheduled for noon.
