ACHA M3

LaFata’s Hat Trick Powers Farmingdale State Past Sacred Heart 8-3

Friday, October 2, 2026 · Islanders Iceworks · 2 min read

Sacred Heart University (M3 NT)

3 - 8

Final

0-2 · 1-3 · 2-3

Farmingdale State College (M3)

Luke LaFata #80

Donald Pace #86

Luke LaFata scored three goals and added an assist, and Farmingdale State College beat Sacred Heart University 8-3 on Friday night at Islanders Iceworks. Farmingdale scored three power-play goals and won its fourth straight to improve to 6-1-0, while Sacred Heart opened its season at 0-1-0.

LaFata entered with five goals in six games and set the tone early. He opened the scoring with 7:55 left in the first on a hard feed from Donald Pace, who finished with three assists. At the other end, Braiden Buccino turned away several of Sacred Heart’s best looks, including a post-to-post glove save. Tierny Recenello made it 2-0 on the power play with 35 seconds left in the period, continuing a season in which he entered with 15 points and sits among the ACHA M3 scoring leaders.

Farmingdale pulled away in the second period. Noah Lavoie sniped a power-play goal early in the frame, and LaFata added his second of the night, and seventh of the season, with 5:21 left to make it 4-0. Dylan Reader got Sacred Heart on the board with 3:27 remaining, but Lawrence Lena answered on the power play with 45 seconds left for his first goal of the season and a 5-1 lead.

Christopher D’Andrea scored off a Recenello feed with 13:49 left in the third, and Joey Letizia answered for Sacred Heart by finishing a back-door chance. LaFata completed his hat trick with 10:22 remaining, and Lavoie added an unassisted goal to finish with two goals and an assist. Reader scored his second of the night on the power play with 2:42 left. The third period grew increasingly physical, and Farmingdale’s Luke Ferazi was assessed roughing and face-masking penalties.

Buccino made 22 saves on 25 shots for the win. Tyler Armagan stopped 27 of 35 in his season debut, including a stop while Sacred Heart was shorthanded. Joshua Galper came on in relief and did not allow a goal. Players on both teams wore purple skates and tape in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Farmingdale will look to extend its winning streak, while Sacred Heart seeks its first win of the season.

Watch

Scoring Summary

Full Box Score & Stats ›

1st Period

7:55

Farmingdale State College (M3)

#80 Luke LaFata A: #86 Donald Pace, #50 Michael Goldstein EVEN

0:35

Farmingdale State College (M3)

#98 Tierny Recenello A: #61 Tyler Wodicka, #86 Donald Pace PP

2nd Period

18:25

Farmingdale State College (M3)

#2 Noah Lavoie A: #44 Lawrence Lena, #80 Luke LaFata PP

5:21

Farmingdale State College (M3)

#80 Luke LaFata A: #2 Noah Lavoie EVEN

3:27

Sacred Heart University (M3 NT)

#26 Dylan Reader A: #21 Joey Letizia, Frank Izzo EVEN

0:45

Farmingdale State College (M3)

#44 Lawrence Lena A: #61 Tyler Wodicka, #86 Donald Pace PP

3rd Period

13:49

Farmingdale State College (M3)

#78 Christopher D'Andrea A: #98 Tierny Recenello, #89 Luke Ferazi EVEN

11:37

Sacred Heart University (M3 NT)

#21 Joey Letizia A: #27 Samuel Lescault EVEN

10:22

Farmingdale State College (M3)

#80 Luke LaFata A: #4 Jaden Grillo EVEN

6:13

Farmingdale State College (M3)

#2 Noah Lavoie EVEN

2:42

Sacred Heart University (M3 NT)

#26 Dylan Reader A: #20 Benjamin Bajzath Jr., #6 Evan Vadola PP

narrative

Sacred Heart University opened its M3 NT season on the road against Farmingdale State College, who entered on a three-game winning streak at 5-1 and dominated from the opening minute, with Luke LaFata and Tierny Recenello scoring in the first period. Farmingdale's power play, assisted by strong goaltending from Braiden Buccino, pulled away through the second period with goals from Noah Lavoie, LaFata again, Lawrence Lena, and Dylan Reader, pushing the lead to 5-1 despite Tyler Armagan's solid season debut in net for Sacred Heart. The third period saw Farmingdale extend its lead further with D'Andrea, Letizia, LaFata completing a hat-trick, Lavoie's second, and Dylan Reader's second power-play goal, while Sacred Heart clawed back with late goals from Letizia and Dylan Reader, as the game ended 8-3 in a physical, increasingly chippy contest featuring multiple ejections.

rivalry

Farmingdale entered with a 6-3 all-time series lead over Sacred Heart (50-23 scoring advantage, 27-6 at home), and while the Rams again dominated 8-3, commentary emphasized rising physical intensity and ejections suggesting a genuine, building rivalry between the two programs.

key moment

Luke LaFata opens the scoring at 7:55 of the first period. Set the tone for Farmingdale's early offensive dominance.

Player Intel

Luke LaFata Scored a hat-trick (three goals) and was Farmingdale's standout offensive performer, finishing as the team's leading goal scorer on the season.

Braiden Buccino Delivered a strong performance in his second start, making several highlight-reel saves including a post-to-post glove save to deny Sacred Heart's best chances.

Tyler Armagan Made multiple quality saves including a shorthanded stop despite allowing eight goals in his season debut, keeping the game from becoming a total blowout.

Tierny Recenello Produced a goal and multiple assists, continuing a dominant scoring season that put him among the ACA M3 scoring leaders.

Noah Lavoie Scored twice including a power-play snipe, showing consistent point-per-game production.

Dylan Reader Scored both of Sacred Heart's non-Letizia goals, providing the team's lone consistent offensive spark.

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