WILSON, N.C. - -The Wilmington University men's lacrosse jumped out to a big lead but needed to hang on down the stretch for a 12-11 victory at Barton on Saturday afternoon at Electric Supply Company Field.
It was a tale of two halves on Saturday, as the Wildcats (3-0) raced out to a 5-0 lead after the first quarter, a 9-1 lead at the half, and as large as an 11-2 lead halfway through the third quarter. But a furious finish by Barton (0-5) nearly upset the Wildcats, as the Bulldogs scored the final three goals of the third, and then won the fourth quarter, 6-1. But the Wildcats goal with 8:33 left in the fourth proved to be the game deciding goal, as the Bulldogs scored the final five goals, but couldn't find the game-tying mark.
Nine first quarter turnovers by Barton allowed the Wildcats to have more time of possession, leading to a 12-5 advantage in shots. Logan Stinson scored twice while Giovanni Marino added a goal and an assist. Jared Wagenhoffer made it a 4-0 lead with his goal with 4:22 left.
Stinson completed his hat trick with a goal in the opening 42 seconds of the second quarter before Keeshawn Bell got in on the act with his first goal to give the Wildcats a 6-0 lead. Barton got on the board in 11:05 left, but then a pair of man-up goal, followed by a goal in the final minute of play gave the Wildcats a 9-1 lead going into the halftime break.
It was more of the same to start the third quarter, as back-to-back goals from Dalton Ziemba and Jared Pheasant scored to extend the lead out to 11-2 with 8:40 left. But then Barton scored three goals in the final four minutes of the quarter, closing the gap to within 11-5 after three quarters.
Barton scored the first goal of the fourth quarter, but the Jacob Herman made it a 12-6 lead with 8:33 left in regulation. The late game comeback started with a Barton goal with 8:16 left, and then they added goals with 6:03 and 4:42 to play in regulation. Noah Given made two saves in ensuing possessions, but a penalty with 40 seconds left gave the Bulldogs some light. They scored the man-up game with 36 second left, won the face-off, and quickly scored to close the gap to 12-11 with 20 seconds to play.
Barton again won the face-off and scooped up the ground ball, but the Wildcats defense held firm and did not allow a shot in the final seconds, escaping with the 12-11 victory.
Logan Stinson led with three goals and an assist while Jacob Herman added two goals and two assists. Giovanni Marino scored two goals and an assist while Jared Wagenhoffer added two goals as well. Dalton Ziemba scored a goal and added an assist in the win.
Colyn Lyons scooped up five ground balls and caused two turnovers while John Green and Anton Mackey added four ground balls each. Noah Given made 14 saves in goal while also scooping up six ground balls.
The Wildcats remain in North Carolina for another contest, as they head over to Murfreesboro to take on Chowan on Tuesday afternoon. The opening face-off is set for 1:00 p.m.