The St. Lawrence University men's lacrosse team scored four goals in the third quarter and slowed down Haverford's offense in the second half en route to a 7-6 opening win over the Fords in Bronxville, NY on Saturday afternoon.

The Saints (1-0) were outshot 28-24, but sophomore Pierson Fowler scored three goals including the game-winner to anchor the squad's offense. Meanwhile, Haverford falls to 0-3 despite a hat trick by Phillip Valliant and an eight save performance by goaltender Joe Banno.

"This was a great team win, as we showed great resiliency coming out of halftime," said St. Lawrence head coach Mike Mahoney. "I think there are a lot of things we can build on moving forward."

Haverford Christian Clay scored the opening goal of the game at 4:57, but tallies by senior Matt Pope and Fowler gave the Saints a narrow one-goal edge after the first quarter. However, despite being outshot 8-6, the Fords would own the second quarter scoring 3-0 thanks to a goal by Clay and two from Valliant on St. Lawrence goalie Jeff Goeke to take a 4-2 lead into halftime.

The script would flip in the Saints' favor in the third quarter, as they were outshot but managed to win the frame 4-1. Pope's unassisted man-up goal at 3:24 pulled St. Lawrence within one, while junior Mac Johnson took a pass from senior Kyle Jacobsen and beat Banno to level the scoring midway through the third at 4-4.

After Valliant and Fowler exchanged goals 1:59 apart, Jacobsen gave the Saints a 6-5 advantage headed to the fourth quarter at the 12:43 mark.

Haverford would control the majority of offensive chances in the fourth quarter, owning an 8-3 advantage in shots. However, it was Fowler who gave St. Lawrence a two goal advantage with 11:35 left up 7-5. Though Jake Maldonado's man-up goal would get the Fords within one with 8:50 left, the Saints' defense and junior goaltender Jack Nuland, who played throughout the second half for the Scarlet and Brown, would shut down Haverford's attack and hang on for the 7-6 win.

Nuland finished with five total saves including four in the third quarter to earn the win, while Banno stopped seven shots in suffering the loss. Goeke made no saves in the first half of play.

St. Lawrence will be in action again next Saturday, March 10 when it faces Montclair State in Montclair, NJ. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00pm.