Fairfield Prep Lacrosse Routed By Long Island School

The Fairfield Prep lacrosse team looked to follow up its season-opening win at Notre Dame in West Haven with a victory at home against the St Anthony's Friars of Long Island, New York.

However, the Jesuits were beaten soundly, 14-1. Christian Bernardo scored three goals for the Friars, who blanked the Jesuits until senior Brenden Rotanz scored Fairfield Prep's only goal with  9:40 left in the game.

Despite the lopsided score,  Fairfield Prep junior James Terry had an optimistic take on the outcome.

"Even last year, they (the Jesuits) lost a couple games early to good teams and they ended up winning the state championships," Terry said. "I think we can do it again. They (St. Anthony's) have good players."

Christian Bernado and Joe LoCascio recorded the Friars' first two goals. Sean Rooney and Bernado then scored less than  a minute apart to extend St. Anthony's lead to 4-0 with 6:13 left in the first quarter, forcing Fairfield Prep head coach Chris Smalkais to call his second timeout in a matter of minutes.

Smalkais tried to rally his team, but the timeout did not slow down the Friars, who built a 6-0 lead after the first period on goals by Thomas Schreiber and Ryan Munnely.

In the second period, Will Gillmartin scored twice and Derek Muzio, Bernado and Brendan Schroeder one each to give St. Anthony's an 11-0 lead at halftime.

Fairfield Prep goaltender Ethan Enriquez was replaced in the second quarter by fellow senior David Long after allowing seven goals on 10 shots.

Long surrendered five goals before giving way in the fourth quarter to Andrew Hyland, who yielded two goals.  

Schreiber quickly opened the scoring in the second half. After Rotanz assured that Fairfield Prep would not be shut out. Adam Pomper and Munnely completed the rout.

Matt Lenord, a parent of a Fairfield Prep student, said, "This team from Long Island is one of the best I've seen.  Hopefully, Fairfield can learn something from this and bounce back."