MONTCLAIR, N.J. - Junior attack Cody Suhr (Holbrook, N.Y.) netted a hat trick and rookie attack Thomas Keegan (Lake Grove, N.Y.) added three points (two goals, one assist) as the Western Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team picked up an 8-7 road win at non-conference foe Montclair State on Thursday afternoon at Sprague Field. 

The hosts cut the visitors advantage to 8-7 with 1:19 remaining in regulation before WestConn first-year midfielder Chase Canfora (East Islip, N.Y.) won the ensuing clutch faceoff to hold off the Red Hawks, who then picked up a pair of penalties down the stretch. The squads finished nearly even in every statistical category with the exception of the faceoffs. WestConn won that battle, 13-6.

The teams combined for seven goals in the first quarter before things settled down a bit. Keegan found the back of the net shortly before halftime and then opened the second half with his second marker of the game, giving the Wolves a 6-3 lead. The hosts cut it to 7-5 when Jonathan Slusser tickled the twine with just under two minutes remaining in the third. The squads then traded goals. Senior midfielder Tristan McMahon (Farmingville, N.Y.) tallied an unassisted scoring strike to put WestConn ahead 8-6 with 1:55 to go as they went on to earn the victory.

Both goalies were stellar in between the pipes. Wolves sophomore Jake Kelly (Bethpage, N.Y) earned the win and stopped 11 shots, while Red Hawk netminder Nicholi Halse took the tough luck loss and recorded eight saves. With the victory, WestConn improved to 7-3 overall while Montclair State dropped to 8-2. The Wolves get some time off before squaring up against visiting Vermont State University Castleton on April 4th at 1 p.m.