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TROY, N.Y. – The ninth-ranked Wesleyan University men's lacrosse team used a seven-goal first half to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 9-3, this afternoon in non-league play from East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Cardinals improve to 2-0 on the young season, while the Engineers drop to 1-2.

A pair of unassisted tallies by senior Graham Macnab (Winter Park, FL/Winter Park) and junior Matt Prezioso (Southington, CT/Southington) gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, less than five minutes in.

RPI freshman Breanainn McNeally (Severna Park, MD/Archbishop Spaulding) netted the first of his two goals on the day at 7:09 of the first quarter to draw within 2-1. Sophomore Billy Gibbs (Stony Brook, NY/Ward Melville) picked up the assist.

The Cardinals then ran off five straight goals to close out of the first half, including a natural hat trick off the stick of junior Quentin DellaFera (Locust Valley, NY/Friends Academy). Classmate Stephen Dodd (Old Greenwich, CT/Greenwich) and senior Sam Stanton (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan) earned helpers on the final two goals of the stanza.

Wesleyan's lead grew to 9-1 in the later stages of the third quarter, when Prezioso and junior Nate Ryan (Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Ludlowe) scored their fifth and third goals of the season, respectively. Ryan's goal, which was assisted by classmate David Murphy (East Northport, NY/Commack) came with just 55 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Rensselaer fought back to score the only two goals of the fourth, as McNeally notched his second of the day and ninth of the year with 7:41 to play. Fellow rookie Matt Hall (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury) then picked up goal number six on the season, off a feed from sophomore Patrick Finn (North Easton, MA/Thayer Academy).

Wesleyan starting goaltender Mark Simmons (East Hampton, NY/East Hampton) earned the win, making seven saves, while allowing two past him. His replacement, junior Justin Schick (Upper Saddle River, NJ/Northern Highland Regional) made two stops, while allowing a goal. For RPI, senior Alex Castronovo (Garden City, NY/Garden City), recorded 12 saves between the pipes.

The Engineers return to action on Saturday, when they host Oneonta State at East Campus Stadium (1pm). Wesleyan hosts Bates on Saturday (1pm).