BRISTOL, R.I.- Senior Slade Patterson (Needham, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal with 32 seconds remaining in regulation, giving the Roger Williams University men's lacrosse team the 9-8 victory over visiting Massachusetts Maritime Academy Wednesday afternoon.

The Hawks found themselves down, 7-5, entering the final 15 minutes, but a quick tally at 14:45 by junior Dave Hurley (Hanover, Mass.) gave RWU some momentum. At 11:56 RWU junior Sean Benner (Narberth, Pa.) tied the score with an assist from Patterson before sophomore Aaron Hewlings (Oneonta, N.Y.) gave the Hawks the 8-7 lead at 9:44.

A late goal with just 2:27 remaining by Mass. Maritime's Matt Fisher (Falmouth, Mass.) looked like it would send the game into overtime before Patterson's unassisted heroics less than two minutes later.

RWU held a clear advantage in face-offs, winning 15 of the game's 20, and also shots, firing 36 of the game's 62.

In the face-off circle, RWU sophomore Nick Coburn (Simsbury, Conn.) took 10 of his 14 match-ups, while teammate Tom Munson went 4-for-4.

Offensively, RWU junior Joe Healy (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) tallied a game-high eight shots and three goals in the contest. Buccaneers' Connor Burke (Del Mar, Calif.) led his team with eight shots and two goals.

In net, sophomore James Hitchings made 15 saves in the loss, while Hawks' Bobby Hensley made 13 saves in the win.

RWU improves to 3-5 while Mass. Maritime falls to 1-4.

The Hawks return to The Commonwealth Coast Conference play Saturday, hosting New England College in a 2:30 contest. MMA travels to MIT Saturday for a Pilgrim League game beginning at 1 p.m.