In their first two games, Virginia had the luxury of playing two unranked opponents to start the season. So when the #2 nationally ranked Cavaliers came Saturday to Kenneth LaValle Stadium, they had already had their game feet under them. Stony Brook did not-and it showed.
Putting up 20 goals, the Cavaliers put together a sharp game, offensively and defensively, against the Seawolves, who failed to show cohesiveness in the first half.
“It’s a little different doing the real thing, especially against Virginia, for guys who are playing their first collegiate game,” said Stony Brook Head Coach Rick Sowell. “Once we got past that and settled down, I’ve seen us do some things that we have done over the past two or three weeks.”
The Cavaliers, who did not play up to their ranking in their first two games, showed a drastic improvement.
“We’ve been playing hard all season, but we haven’t been that sharp,” said Virginia Head Coach Dom Starsia. “Today, I think offensively, we began to demonstrate the team that I think we can be.”
The Cavaliers quick start allowed them to take a 5-0 lead, until the Seawolves scored their first goal of the game and season. Freshman Kyle Belton, from British Columbia, scored, getting the Seawolves on the board to close out the first quarter. Virginia kept possession for most of the quarter, not giving the Seawolves much time in the offensive zone.
The second quarter proved to be much like the first. Virginia again netted five more, taking a commanding 10-1 lead. Sophomore Timmy Trinkle and Junior Chris Scott would score late in the quarter for Stony Brook, closing the half with a 10-3 score.
“Speed and stickwork,” made Virginia dynamic, according to Sowell, not only in the first half, but the second as well.
Goalie Charlie Paar made his first start for the Seawolves, making 15 saves. Virginia tallied 62 shots with 34 hitting the net.
“They’re a developed team” said Paar. “They’ve played with each other for a while. Today was a good learning experience, a stepping stone.”
Many of the Seawolves saw their first collegiate action. At least 14 Seawolves played their first game, several in over a year (injuries) and many others who were freshmen or sophomores.
“That’s a lot of guys to be playing in their first game, especially when you’re playing a team of Virginia’s caliber,” Sowell said. The Seawolves only have two seniors on the roster.
The Seawolves showed some life in the second half. After giving up two more goals, Trinkle scored his second of the game, but Virginia came right back to increase their lead to 13-4. While Virginia would put up three more in the second quarter, the Seawolves matched them with goals from Sophomore Kevin Crowley, and two from Freshman Robbie Campbell, from British Columbia.
The fourth saw some more back and fourth action, similar to last year’s game at Virginia, which the Seawolves lost 15-13. Sophomore, and Pre-Season All-American, Jordan McBride scored his first goal of the season to make the score 16-8.
Belton scored later on, but Virginia tallied three more to increase its lead to 10. The two teams would exchange goals late in the game, bringing the final to 20-10, with Junior Tom Copatello getting the final goal for the Seawolves.
“We scored 10 goals. Once we settled down, I think we got more comfortable in the second quarter and third quarter and put together some good offensive possessions,” Sowell said. “I think we can score some goals”. The Seawolves had 22 shots on goal.
Virginia attack Garrett Billings tied a school mark with eight goals on the day. The senior from British Columbia has 101 career goals.
Stony Brook will look to get on the winning track next week against Harvard. “We’re going to be fine.” Sowell said. “We’ll have to lick our wounds for these next couple days, but we’re looking forward to playing Harvard.” The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM on Saturday.