Sparkill, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Lacrosse team welcomed the University of Bridgeport to Spartan Field on Wednesday afternoon for a spirited, non-conference matchup under rainy skies in the Lower Hudson Valley. 

A ten-goal first half powered the visiting Purple Knights to a 15-7 victory over the Spartans.

STAC slips to 1-4 on the season, while Bridgeport improves to 1-2 on the year.

John Pena led the Spartans' offense with four goals and an assist, while teammates Joseph Casarella (1 goal, 1 assist), Michael Huff (1 goal, 1 assist) and Jonathan Farley (1 goal) also scored for the maroon and gold. Goalie Craig Peavy (L, 1-4) stopped 11-of-26 shots for STAC.

Meanwhile, Bridgeport was led by Dewey Schoenfelder, who tallied four goals and four assists, while Aidan Kirkpatrick added three goals and two helpers. Daniel Orebiyi (2 goals, 1 assist), James Napoli (2 goals), Ashton Lankowski (2 goals), Matthew Levantini (1 goal, 1 assist) and Darien Fray (1 goal) also contributed to the Purple Knight's victory on the stat sheet. Goalkeeper Peter Nazario (W, 1-2) went the distance for UB, stopping 16-of 23 shots to earn his first win of the season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Bridgeport outshot STAC 42-38 (26-23 on goal) for the game.
• John Pena tallied a game-high nine shots, with seven going on goal for St. Thomas Aquinas
• John Morris and Austin Palen each gathered six of the Spartans 26 ground balls in the match.
• Morris caused three Purple Knights turnovers on the afternoon.
• Austin Palen won 14-of-24 faceoffs for the maroon and gold.
• UB led STAC 10-4 at the half and were able to outscore the Spartans by a 5-3 margin over the third and fourth quarters.
• In a feisty affair, Bridgeport was called for 11 infractions, totaling 12 minutes and 30 seconds while STAC was whistled for 9 penalties, totaling 8 minutes and 30 seconds.

UP NEXT:

St. Thomas Aquinas heads back out on the road, visiting the City of Brotherly Love and Holy Family University on Sunday, March 3. The Spartans and Tigers will lock horns at Tiger Field beginning at 1:00 p.m.