LAFAYETTE HILL, Pa. - - A three-goal run in the span of three minutes in the fourth quarter allowed Chestnut Hill to take the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest, 12-8, over the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team on Thursday morning at Victory Field #1.
Logan Stinson tied the contest early in the fourth quarter, 6-6, but the Griffins (6-2, 3-0 CACC) rattled off the next three goals in a span of 3:06 of game time to swing the momentum and take control of the CACC contest.
The Wildcats (1-3, 1-1 CACC) took an early lead in the game, as Miles Crouse and Jimmy Cava scored back-to-back goals to take a 2-1 lead. But Chestnut Hill scored the final two goals of the quarter, and went into the mini-break leading, 3-2.
The lead expanded to 5-2 with 7:23 left before the half but Cava hit the back of the net once more in the second quarter, sending the teams into halftime with the Griffins leading, 5-3.
TJ Caton started the second half with a goal but then the ball went up and down the field for nearly 10 minutes without finding the back of the net. Goalkeeper Noah Given made one save during that span while using the goaltender's best friend, the post twice. The Wildcats got eight shots off during the dry spell, but Griffin goalie Jake Miller made five stops to keep the Wildcats from getting closer.
Now on the mad-advantage, Miles Crouse tied the match, 5-5, with a goal with 3:27 left in the third quarter. But Chestnut Hill won the ensuing face-off, earned a penalty and scored not even a minute later to regain the lead, 6-5, heading into the final quarter.
The Wildcats immediately went onto the man-advantage to start the fourth, and after Jacob Herman hit the post, and a shot was saved, Logan Stinson knotted the score once more, 6-6, with his first goal of the day.
But the momentum didn't stay in favor of the Wildcats long, as the Griffins again won the ensuing face-off and scored right away, taking the lead for the final time, 7-6, with 13:44 to play. The Griffins then went on the man-advantage and scored with 13:09 showing on the clock, and then made it three in a row with another goal at 10:38, taking a 9-6 lead.
The Wildcats had five straight shots, the fifth finally finding the back of the net by Jake Copio with 7:01 to play. Given then made a save and the Wildcats were off and running the other way, managing to pick up a penalty and go on the man-advantage trailing by two goals. But the offense turned the ball over and Chestnut Hill made them pay, scoring a man-down goal with 4:54 left in regulation to regain a three-goal lead, 10-7.
Logan Stinson scored his second of the quarter, but the Griffins won the following face-off and scored on their next possession, maintaining the momentum, 11-8, with 3:16 left.
Logan Stinson led the attack with two goals and two assists in the game while Jimmy Cava added two goals and an assist. Miles Crouse was the only other Wildcats with multiple goals, scoring twice. Defensively, John Greene led the team with three caused turnovers and four ground balls. Noah Given made 13 stops in the game.
The Wildcats have a quick turnaround for their next contest, as they head to Felician on Saturday for a game under the lights. The opening face-off in Rutherford, N.J., is set for 7:00 p.m.