MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Lacrosse team fell to Salve Regina to open the 2026 campaign, falling 14-3 in the Battle for the Bernasconi Trophy on Wednesday evening.

As a team the Seahawks outshot the Hawks 29-24, while putting 25 shots on target to RWU's 21. The Seahawks also won the ground ball battle 25-19. As a team, Aaron D'Aversa (Sea Cliff, N.Y.) made 10 saves, while Griffin Caiozzo had 18 saves with only three goals allowed.

For the Seahawks, Chris Koltzan and Casey Johnson each had four goals, with Koltzan scoring six points in the game, while Johnson and Daniel Naglieri had five points total.

Salve Regina struck first as Aidan McIntyre had a goal 3:44 into the game, ahead of capitalizing on a goal by Koltzan with 50 seconds remaining in the contest to score. The Seahawks led 8-0 after the first 36:48 of play, but Carter Shelton (Castle Rock, Colo.) tallied a goal to put the Hawks on the board, trailing, 8-1. The Hawks saw another pair of goals by Harrison Steffins (Fairfield, Conn.) but were unable to overcome the Seahawks' offense.

Roger Williams (0-1, 0-0 CNE) will open their home slate on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1:00 pm against Wheaton. The Hawks will then be on the road on Friday, Feb. 27 at Emerson.