HILLBURN, N.Y. - - Giovanni Marino and the 16th ranked Wilmington University men's lacrosse team remained red hot, winning its seventh straight, 14-4, at Dominican to remain unbeaten in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Saturday night at the Torne Valley Sports Complex.
Giovanni Marino scored seven goals to lead the Wildcats (8-3, 4-0 CACC) and now has 32 points in his last five games. He had 16 points in his first six games of the season. The seven goals are tied for the second most in a game this season for Marino.
The Wildcats ranked 16th in the USA Lacrosse Magazine National Poll and 20th in the latest USILA Poll got out to a fast start by scoring the first three goals of the game and jumping out to a 5-1 lead after the first quarter. Giovanni Marino scored the game's first goal and then put the Wildcats up, 4-1, with another goal with 1:28 left.
Giovanni Marino scored both goals for the Wildcats in the second quarter, sandwiched around a Chargers' goal, and the Wildcats led, 7-2, at the halftime break.
AS the rains began in the third quarter, the Wildcats were able to extend their lead, getting goals from Marino and Layton Avant just 1:17 apart to lead 9-2 with 6:20 showing on the clock.
Logan Stinson got in on the scoring to start the fourth quarter before TJ Caton scored his first of the game to give the Wildcats an 11-2 lead with 10:49 to play. Jake Copio scored his second of the game to put the Wildcats up double digits but the Chargers answered with back-to-back goals to claw to within 12-4 with 4:40 to play. But that would be as close as they would get as Giovanni Marino scored his sixth and seventh goals of the game to finish off the Chargers, 14-4.
Jake Copio scored two goals and added two assists while Logan Stinson and Jimmy Cava scored one goal and added two assists each. Miles Crouse dished out two assists in the win. Jason Roland made 13 saves in the win, improving to 8-3.
The Wildcats outshot the Chargers, 60-34, and went 21-for-23 in clears.
The Wildcats return home for their next two games, as they host Chestnut Hill (6-5, 2-0 CACC) on Wednesday afternoon. The opening faceoff is set for 4:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.