NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Returning back to Reese Stadium after 33 months away, the No. 7 Yale University men's lacrosse team opened the 2022 season with a victory over No. 20 Villanova, 17-14. Preseason All-American Matt Brandau led the way with six points on five goals and an assist.
 
The two teams traded big quarters with Villanova leading at the half, 8-7, but Yale exploded with a 9-1 frame in the third and held off the Wildcats late as both teams endured snow squalls and high winds for much of the game.
 
"The snow had an effect on both teams in second and third quarters before calming down in the fourth," said head coach Andy Shay. "We made some adjustments before the second half, in the faceoff circle, and wanted to be more aggressive on the ground. The team responded."
 
The halftime adjustments paid off in a big way for the Bulldogs as they came out of the break with three-straight unassisted goals and answered a Villanova tally with six-straight scores capped by back-to-back Brandau tallies within a 16-second span.
 
It was first-year Machado Rodriguez that stepped into the faceoff circle in the second stanza as his wins helped Yale take control in the third. He finished 10-of-17 against Villanova as the Bulldogs finished strong with 5-of-6 wins in the fourth.
 
While Villanova outshot Yale 43-34, the Bulldogs were able to salt the clock in the fourth while the Wildcats fired off 14 fourth-quarter attempts in the comeback effort. The Bulldogs still put more shots on goal than Villanova, 25-23.
 
Goalie Jared Paquette earned the win as he made nine saves and saw a strong defensive effort Jack Stuzin who made his collegiate debut with a game-high five caused turnovers to go along with a team-high five ground balls and his first career goal.  
 
Brandau was highly efficient, putting seven of his nine shots on goal while nine different Bulldogs scored. First year Leo Johnson netted a hat trick in his collegiate debut while Will Cabrera was second on the team with four points on two goals and two assists.
 
Yale will look to keep it going in its first road game of the season at Penn State on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Noon.