Post Uses Fourth Quarter Spurt in 9-5 Victory over Men’s Lacrosse

Copyright 2018; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Cory Melvin who led the Wildcats with two goals and an assist at Post. Photo by Frank Stallworth. March 4, 2018 vs. Assumption.
Copyright 2018; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Cory Melvin who led the Wildcats with two goals and an assist at Post. Photo by Frank Stallworth. March 4, 2018 vs. Assumption.

WATERBURY, Conn. - - A three-goal spurt in the fourth quarter allowed Post to separate itself from the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team on Sunday as the Wildcats fell, 9-5, in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener at LaMoy Field.

In a tightly contested contest, the Eagles (1-8, 1-0 CACC) separated themselves with three straight goals in the fourth quarter after the Wildcats (2-6, 0-1 CACC) got to within a single goal.

The teams scored one goal each in the first quarter before Post took the lead for good in the second. They scored the first two goals of the quarter and ended the half with a goal to take a 4-2 lead into the halftime break.

Cory Melvin brought the Wildcats to within 5-3 at the end of the third quarter, getting a long clear from Noah Given and beating the clock with four ticks left.

Josh Burley scored on the Wildcats first possession of the fourth quarter, bringing the Wildcats to with 5-4 with 12:25 left in regulation.

But the Eagles retaliated from there, winning the ensuing face-off and scoring on a man-advantage opportunity to start a 3-0 run. They moved ahead, 7-4, with a goal at 7:54 before ending their run with another goal with 6:05 left in regulation for the 8-4 lead.

Cory Melvin broke up the run with another goal with 3:47 to play and the Wildcats had five shots in the next two minutes, but Eagle goalkeeper Manuele D'Alessio made four saves to keep the Eagles in control.

Post was able to put the game away with 51 seconds left, adding an insurance goal to finalize the score, 9-5.

The teams tied in shots, 33-33, with the Wildcats putting 20 shots on goal. D'Alessio made 15 saves for the Eagles, including six in the fourth quarter, to keep the Eagles in front.

Melvin led the Wildcats with two goals and an assist while Josh Burley also scored twice. Chris Smith scored the other Wildcat goal while adding two assists. Jon Howell led the team with six ground balls and three caused turnovers while Kyle Leary came up with four ground balls and three caused turnovers. Noah Given made nine saves, to go along with his first collegiate assist, for the Wildcats.

The final four games for the Wildcats are CACC contests, as they welcome Georgian Court to the WU Athletics Complex for their next game. The opening face-off is set for Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.