SBU falls to defending champion Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- In many ways, first-year Stony Brook men's lacrosse coach Jim Nagle is starting from scratch. That was apparent Saturdayagainst a Virginia program that rarely suffers through a rebuilding year.

Defending national champion Virginia rolled past the Seawolves, 12-5, behind big games from Steele Stanwick and Colin Briggs, the stars of last year's NCAA Tournament run.

"More or less, experience came into play here," said Stony Brook senior attackman Kyle Belton, who had two goals. "They are defending national champions and this is a great learning experience and it's on to the next game for us."

The previous two meetings were classics, with Virginia winning each by a goal, but while Stony Brook (0-2) is searching for players to step up after the graduation of offensive standouts Jordan McBride, Kevin Crowley and Tom Compitello -- not to mention faceoff specialist Adam Rand, who always gave the Cavaliers fits -- Virginia (3-0) once again is loaded.

Briggs led all scorers with three goals and four assists. Stanwick, the 2011 Tewaaraton Award winner, had two goals and three assists, reaching the century mark in both categories and becoming the 44th player in NCAA history in the 100-100 club.

"His game is just so balanced," Virginia coach Dom Starsia said. "His greatest skill is that he makes the people around him better. We go on offense because of Steele Stanwick. Our offense is in good hands."

Russ Bonanno, Mike Rooney and Matt Bellando each had a goal for Stony Brook, which took a 2-0 lead midway through the first quarter before Virginia began to dominate.

"I thought we could have stayed a lot closer if we could have continued to play better as a team," Nagle said. "We kind of stopped doing some of the things we'd been working on in practice, but hats off to them. They are a great team."

Rooney's fourth goal in two games brought Stony Brook within 9-5 with 2:13 left in the third quarter, but Mark Cockerton scored twice in Virginia's three-goal fourth quarter.

Chris Bocklet added a goal and an assist for the Cavaliers, who had seven different players find the back of the net.

Stony Brook junior goalie Sean Brady got off to a hot start, making four saves in the first quarter, but Virginia's seemingly unlimited supply of shooters eventually got the better of him. He finished with five saves.

The Seawolves will have an opportunity to pick up their first victory Saturday when they face Marist at LaValle Stadium.