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Fairfield (8-7, 4-1 CAA) shared the CAA regular season crown with No. 12 Towson, as the Tigers beat Hofstra on Long Island on Saturday afternoon. Towson will host the tournament at the Johnny Unitas Stadium in Maryland. Including the ECAC Lacrosse League regular season title in 2014, the Stags have won a third straight regular season championship under head coach Andy Copelan.
Burke, a six-time CAA Rookie of the Week, established two program records during his rookie campaign. With his four goals Friday night, Burke vaulted himself to the top of a two of all-time lists in program history.
His 41 goals this season surpass the Fairfield freshman record of 38 established by Spencer Steele. The Long Island native’s 55 points this spring eclipse the freshman record of 53 set by J.T. Groarke. Steele and Groarke are both members of the Fairfield Athletics Hall of Fame.
In the overall Fairfield record book, Burke has tallied the first 40-goal season and the first 55-point season by a Stag since Steele set his program records of 48 goals and 75 points in 1999. Nico Panepinto also racked up four points with two goals and two assists. Charlie Schnider and Joe Rodrigues each added a goal and an assist, and Conor Dalton handed out two helpers.
Rounding out the scoring Friday night were TJ Neubauer and Jake Knostman with one goal apiece and Charlie Horning with one assist. Neubauer’s goal marked the 106th of his career, tying Groarke for third on Fairfield’s all-time scoring list. Defensively, Tyler Behring made 12 saves, including seven in the fourth quarter. In unit in front of Behring was led by four ground balls and three caused turnovers by Matt Borda.
The CAA Championship semifinals are scheduled for Thursday with the CAA Championship game slated for Saturday.
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