WEST CALDWELL, N.J. - - A record-breaking first quarter carried the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team to a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opening victory, 21-6, over Caldwell on Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats (4-3, 1-0 CACC) scored a program-record 10 goals in the first quarter and eventually led, 12-2, at the halftime break.
Tucker Plasse kept getting possession back for the Wildcats in the game, going 23-of-30 from the face-off circle to put the Wildcats right back on offense following goals. He won 10-of-12 in the first quarter alone.
Jake Copio started his career day with four goals in the first quarter, giving the Wildcats leads of 2-0, 6-0, 7-1, and 9-1. Logan Stinson and Miles Crouse scored twice in the first quarter while Layton Avant and Giovanno Marino contributed goals as well and the Wildcats were leading 10-1.
Jake Copio and Giovanni Marino scored back-to-back goals in the second quarter, giving the Wildcats a 12-1 lead before Caldwell (2-5, 0-2 CACC) scored with 1:31 left, eventually sending the game into the break with the Wildcats up 12-2.
Caldwell scored the first goal of the third quarter, but then Copio scored his sixth goal of the game, followed by goals from Connor Graser and Marino again on the man-advantage, giving the Wildcats a 15-3 lead heading into the final frame.
Jimmy Cava got on the board to start the fourth quarter while Keeshawn Bell and Brendan Leonard contributed to the scoring in the final quarter as well.
Jake Copio led the Wildcats with his six goals while Giovanni Marino scored four goals and added an assist for five points. Logan Stinson chipped in with six points, scoring three goals and adding a team high three assists. Miles Crouse scored three times while TJ Caton dished out two assists.
Nick Bruhn, Brendan Leonard, and TJ Caton scooped up six ground balls each while Bruhn led the defense with two caused turnovers. Jason Roland made 13 saves in net for the win.
The Wildcats take to the road one more time before returning home, as they play east region power St. Anselm at a neutral site on Wednesday afternoon. They will play the Hawks on the campus of Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, with the opening face-off at 1:00 p.m.