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OWINGS MILLS, MD -- Freshman Troy Haefele scored a team-high three goals to lead visiting Nazareth in its season opener against third-ranked Stevenson in the men's lacrosse season opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs outscored Nazareth 10-4 during the second and third periods to build their advantage. Stevenson went on to defeat Nazareth 17-11 in the non-conference contest.

The Golden Flyers open the season 0-1 with the loss while Stevenson opens the season 1-0 with the victory.

Peter Green opened the scoring for the Mustangs only 30 seconds into the first quarter with an unassisted goal. The Golden Flyers answered back about a minute later on a goal by freshman Jason Boike. Boike's goal was assisted by junior Collin Clark.

The teams traded goals in the final 10 minutes of the quarter. Troy Haefele and junior Chris Aycock scored for Nazareth. Sophomore Drew Simoneau and senior Brian Wright assisted on Haefele's and Aycock's respective goals. Haefele's goal was scored after Simoneau won the faceoff following a Mustang goal. Tyler Reid, Mark Pannenton, and Matt Tompkins scored for the Mustangs. Tompkins' goal came with only six seconds remaining in the quarter.

Clark scored his first goal of the season 1:15 into the second quarter to tie the game at four goals apiece. Clark's goal was an unassisted score. Following Clark's goal, Stevenson scored five goals in a span of about eight minutes to claim a 9-4 advantage. Wright and Troy Haefele scored two goals in a span of six seconds to cut Nazareth's deficit to three goals, 9-6, going into the second half. Wright's goal was unassisted while Haefele's tally was set up by brother Trevar Haefele.

After Nazareth closed the first half with back-to-back goals, Stevenson answered with five of six goals in the third quarter to take a 14-7 lead going into the fourth quarter. Trevar Haefele scored for the Golden Flyers with 4:52 to play in the quarter to cut the Mustangs' lead to 11-7. Stevenson scored three goals in the final 3:54 of the quarter to stretch their lead.

Freshman Luke Wooters opened the fourth quarter scoring 2:25 into the period. Neither team scored for the next 6:22 when Pannenton fifth goal of the game. The Golden Flyers responded with three goals in a span of 2:08 to trim their deficit to four goals, 15-11. Trevar Haefele scored the first goal after receiving a pass from Clark. Wright scored an unassisted goal with 3:51 to play in regulation. Twenty-five seconds later, Troy Haefele scored his third goal of the game with a man-up goal after getting a pass from Clark.

Stevenson secured its victory with two goals in the final 2:34 to go on to the 17-11 victory. In addition to the five goals by Pannenton, Green finished with three goals. Tompkins and Reid each added two goals apiece for Stevenson.

The Mustangs finished with a 52-37 advantage in shots and a 17-15 edge in faceoffs. Simoneau finished 15-31 on faceoffs to lead Nazareth. Stevenson also finished with a 43-36 advantage in ground balls. The Mustangs held the Golden Flyers to 11-20 on clears while Stevenson converted 14-20 opportunities.

Nazareth was held to 1-9 on man-up opportunities. The Mustangs finished 2-6 with the man advantage.

Senior Tim Doyle played all 60 minutes in the Nazareth net and recorded a game-high 12 saves. Dimitri Pecunes made nine saves for the Mustangs to earn the victory.

The Golden Flyers travel to Springfield to play the 14th-ranked Pride on Saturday, February 23rd. The Golden Flyers host Geneseo on March 2nd in their home opener.