Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern MaryKate Rumbaugh
NORTH CANTON, Ohio – The Wilmington University men's lacrosse team found themselves down early as Walsh University scored the first seven goals of the game in their 14-8 win over the Wildcats Saturday afternoon at the Vasco Sports Complex.
The Cavaliers (2-7) got out to a fast start against the Wildcats (5-3) as they scored the first four goals in the first quarter on 13 shots, to the Wildcats' five. Walsh continued their momentum into the second quarter, scoring the first three goals of the quarter to take a 7-0 lead over the Wildcats with 9:26 to play until the half. WilmU was able to get on the board thanks to a shot from Ralph Ruggiero, before Sean Sheehan made it a 7-2 game with 6:41 to go in the half on a pass from Ruggiero. Walsh would get another goal to extend their lead back to six, but Dylan McCleaft would find the net with 34 seconds left in the quarter to make it an 8-3 game at the half.
The Wildcats would open up the second half with a man-up goal from McCleaft to cut the Cavalier's lead in half, making it an 8-4 game with 13:12 to play in the third. Walsh would have 11 shots though in the quarter and score back-to-back goals to take a 10-4 lead with seven minutes left in the quarter. Ralph Ruggiero would net his second goal of the game on a feed from Jake Walsh to bring the score to 10-5 heading into the final quarter.
The Wildcats slowly saw the lead drifting farther as Walsh scored three straight goals to open the fourth quarter. Despite the Wildcats scoring three goals in the quarter, Walsh would hang on to take the nonconference matchup, 14-8.
Ralph Ruggiero had three goals and two assists for the Wildcats, as Dylan McCleaft scored three goals on nine shots. Sean Sheehan had two goals for the Wildcats, as Jake Walsh and Austin Wood had one assist each.
The Wildcats have their final nonconference game of the season on Tuesday, when they head to nationally ranked No. 5 LIU Post. Opening whistle is set for 3:30 p.m.