UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Starting its fourth year of existence, the University of Richmond men’s lacrosse program has high expectations. The Spiders delivered a statement and a glimpse into why those expectations are so high in the season opener with a dominating 15-3 victory over 17th-ranked Fairfield. Offensively, Richmond was led by sophomores Teddy Hatfield and Ryan Lee with four goals each, while Hatfield dished out a team-high four assists. Nine different Spiders found the back of the net, while 10 different Spiders tallied a point in the victory. Defensively, senior Benny Pugh notched 15 saves in the game, two shy of the program record, which he set in 2014. The defensive unit shutout a potent Stags offense in the second half, stifling Preseason All-American Colin Burke all afternoon. Fairfield jumped out to an early 1-0 after about seven minutes of action, but that would be the only lead the Stags would see. With under six minutes to play in the first period, Richmond found its spark when Dan Ginestro fired off a shot to even the score at one apiece. The Spiders tacked on two more goals from Austin Cunningham and Hatfield in less than three minutes to take a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Burke silenced Richmond’s run with to add a goal for the Stags, but again that wouldn’t last long. With :00.1 left on the clock Peter Moran connected with Dean Roseman to give the Spiders a 4-2 lead after 15 minutes of play. The momentum continued in the second period as Richmond scored four more goals, capped off with Hatfield’s third of the game to take an 8-2 lead. The Stags’ added one more in the final four minutes of the half. Five minutes into the second half, Lee’s shot sailed past Fairfield’s Tyler Behring to extend Richmond’s lead to 9-3. Lee’s goal was the first of four for the Spiders in the third quarter. Layne Collins, Adrian Nash and Eric Haehl would all find the back of the net to give Richmond a 12-3 advantage. Lee would be the first to strike again in the fourth quarter, netting his fourth of the game. Hatfield and J.P. Forester wrapped up the scoring for the Spiders. Richmond returns to action on Saturday, February 18 as the Spiders host UMBC at Robins Stadium. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. and will be available on SpiderTV.