The Monmouth men’s lacrosse team delivered a strong start on Senior Day but could not withstand a late surge, falling 17–10 to Stony Brook on April 11, at Kessler Stadium.
Monmouth (5-6, 2-3 CAA) came out with energy early, matching Stony Brook (7-4, 3-1 CAA) goal-for-goal in the opening quarter. Both teams found the back of the net twice, setting up a competitive battle. The Hawks then took control in the second quarter, where their offense began to click. Behind balanced scoring and efficient possessions, Monmouth outscored the Seawolves 4–3 to take a 6–5 lead into halftime.
The Hawks continued that momentum into the third quarter. Graduate midfielder Nick Teets led the charge offensively, finishing with a team-high three goals. Junior attacker Matt Porazzo and Senior attacker Ty Caffarelli each added two goals, helping Monmouth build a 10–6 advantage midway through the period.
Monmouth’s offense was not limited to its top scorers. Senior midfielder Caden Kesselring, sophomore faceoff-specialist Landon Parker, and senior midfielder Riley Chester each contributed a goal, showcasing the team’s depth and ability to spread scoring opportunities across multiple players. The Hawks’ ball movement and shot selection were key factors in building their four-goal lead.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically late in the third quarter. Stony Brook began to find success offensively, capitalizing on defensive breakdowns and pushing the pace in transition. What was once a 10–6 Monmouth lead quickly disappeared as the Seawolves mounted a comeback.
The turning point came when Stony Brook tied the game at 10–10 before the end of the third quarter. From that moment on, the Seawolves took complete control. They closed the game on an 11–0 run, shutting out Monmouth over the final stretch and scoring six unanswered goals in the fourth quarter alone.
Despite the loss, Monmouth showed strengths in several statistical categories. The Hawks held a 40–48 shot deficit but remained competitive by putting 24 shots on goal. They also edged Stony Brook in ground balls, 25–23, and had stretches of strong possession due to their 18-13 faceoff success.
Still, the difference came down to execution late in the game. After scoring 10 goals through three quarters, Monmouth was held scoreless in the fourth. Offensive opportunities became limited, and turnovers allowed Stony Brook to maintain control during its decisive run.
For Stony Brook, the comeback was fueled by standout performances from junior attacker Collin Williamson and junior attacker Justin Bonacci, who each scored four goals, along with sophomore midfielder Caleb Yeung, who added three goals and two assists. Their offensive efficiency in the second half proved too much for Monmouth to handle.
For Monmouth, the game highlighted both promise and inconsistency. The Hawks demonstrated their ability to compete with a strong conference opponent, using balanced scoring and solid defensive efforts to build a lead. Contributions from players like Teets, Porazzo, Caffarelli, and supporting scorers such as Kesselring and Parker showed the team’s offensive depth.
However, the inability to close out the game ultimately overshadowed those positives. The late-game drought and defensive struggles proved costly, turning a potential Senior Day victory into a difficult conference loss.
Monmouth will look to regroup as it continues CAA play, aiming to build on its strong stretches while improving consistency down the stretch. Monmouth will face Fairfield in their last home game of the season on April 25 at 11 a.m..
