SEVERNA PARK, Md. (Feb. 14, 2015) - Junior attackman Matt Bellando (Miami, Fla.) had a star-studded Pioneer debut, scoring a game-high five goals, as the third-ranked LIU Post men's lacrosse team defeated No. 10 Queens (N.C.), 12-8, in its 2015 season opener on Saturday at the Severn School.

Tied 2-2 after one period of play, the Pioneers (1-0) erupted for five unanswered goals in the second quarter to take a 7-2 lead with 44 seconds left. Junior midfielder Anthony Berardis (Mahopac, N.Y.) recorded two tallies in the stretch, just 45 seconds apart. Senior attackman Chris Caiazza (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) had the green and gold's lone man-up marker of the afternoon, while senior midfielder Connor Drost (Wading River, N.Y.) dished out three assists.

LIU Post eventually led 7-3 at the intermission, and came out of the gate firing again in the third quarter. The Pioneers outscored the Royals 4-1 in the stanza to put the game away for good. Bellando found the back of the cage three times in a span of 5:34, including a two-man shorthanded tally at the 7:59 mark.

Bellando finished with a game-best six points (5 G, 1 A). Drost provided a goal and four assists for a five-point output. Berardis and Caiazza collected two goals apiece. Junior attackmen Ryan Slane (North Babylon, N.Y.) and Matty Beccaris (North Babylon, N.Y.) each got a goal and an assist. Slane caused a pair of turnovers, as well. Sophomore defenseman Ryan Stern (Shoreham, N.Y.) scooped up seven ground balls to lead all players.

Senior defenseman Dan Jeannotte (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) won 14-of-21 faceoffs (66.7 percent) and dished off an assist. LIU Post, which outshot Queens (0-2) by a commanding 56-20 count, was 15-of-24 on faceoffs as a team. It was also a near-perfect 12-of-13 (92.3 percent) on clears.

Head Coach John Jez and the Pioneers return to action Sunday (Feb. 22), when they kick off East Coast Conference play against Roberts Wesleyan at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium. The opening faceoff is set for noon.