Press Release written by Mitchell Coll
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - - For the fourth Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament in a row, the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team has earned a spot in the semifinals, this time as the No. 1 seed by going undefeated in conference play. This is also the Wildcats' first ever Regular Season Championship Title, in only their fifth year of being a program.
The Wildcats will travel to Georgian Court University the hosts for the CACC Tournament Semifinal round on Thursday, April 28 against the No.4 seed Dominican College Chargers. The opening face-off is set for 12:00 p.m. in Lakewood, NJ.
Ways to Follow:
- Live stats: https://wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu/sports/mlax/2021-22/boxscores/20220428_6rfb.xml
- Live stream: https://caccnetwork.com/
- CACC Tournament Central: https://www.caccathletics.org/sports/Championship/21-22/MLAX
Admission to GCU Track & Field Complex:
- Adults- $10
- Seniors/Children/Students w/ School ID- $5
- Children under 3 years of age admitted for free
- Purchase Tickets online
The Wildcats are led by CACC Player of the Year Giovanni Marino, as he leads the CACC in goals with 47 and ranks tied-fourth overall in points with 56. Marino ranks 8th in all of Division II Lacrosse in goals per game, averaging 3.62 goals per game. Jacob Herman leads the CACC in assists with 36. Logan Stinson ranks third in the conference in points with 58, Jake Copio sits in tied 9th with 48.
The Wildcats had a record setting list of major awards for the 2022 season, as they were named to four out of the five individual awards. Giovanni Marino won CACC Player of the Year, Connor Graser won CACC Defensive Player of the Year, Jason Roland won CACC Goalkeeper of the year and for the second-year in a row head coach Christian Zwickert won Coach of the Year.
The Wildcats are led by CACC Rookie of the Year Logan Stinson, as he leads the Wildcats with 16 goals, 11 assists, and 27 points in six games this season, ranking 11th in the CACC in points despite playing far fewer games than other opponents. His 26 points and 15 goals in CACC games only rank third in the conference while his 11 assists rank fourth overall.
The defense has been stout for the Wildcats, as they lead the league with an 9.45 GAA in CACC play for the year, allowing only 123 goals on the year. Goalkeeper Jason Roland ranks 13st in all of NCAA DII with a 9.45 GAA. They are also 15th in the country in caused turnover per game 10.23 caused turnovers per game.
Individually, Nick Bruhn leads the Wildcats in caused turnover on the team with 17 and in caused turnovers per game with 1.42 a game. John Greene also caused 13 turnovers on the season in 12 games played.
Wildcat First Matchup Against Dominican
In the first matchup on the year against Dominican College, the Wildcats travel up to Hillburn, New York and came home with a 14-4 victory. Giovanni Marino scored 7 goals, are second all-time in school history in goals in a game. Marino also holds the top spot in the same category with 9 goals against Saint Anselm this year. Jake Copio total 4 points in the matchup against Dominican with 2 goals and 2 assists. Logan Stinson added 3 points against the Chargers with 1 goal and 2 assists. Jason Roland picked up the win between the pipes and made 13 saves on only four goals allowed.
Scouting the Chargers:
The Chargers are led by All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference First Team Defender Bryan O'Loughlin. O'Loughlin ranks tied-third in the conference in caused turnovers on the season with 25. O'Loughlin also ranks 15th in the CACC in ground balls. On the offensive side they are led by redshirt-sophomore William Gordan who leads the team with 23 goals and four assists in 11 games. James Conklin arguably had one of his best games against the Wildcats this season as he scored 3 goals and 1, providing an impact on all four goals the Wildcats gave up in their first matchup against the Chargers.
Wilmington All-Time in the CACC Tournament:
2018 - #1 Georgian Court def. #4 Wilmington, 17-4
2019 - #2 Georgian Court def. #3 Wilmington, 15-6
2020 – DNP (COVID-19)
2021 - #2 Wilmington def. #3 Georgian Court, 12-11; #1 Chestnut Hill def. #2 Wilmington, 17-9
Total: 1-3
Wildcats vs. 2022 CACC Tournament Participants:
1. Wilmington University Wildcats (10-3, 6-0 CACC)
2. Chestnut Hill College Griffins (9-6, 5-1 CACC) – vs. W 17-16 OT (1-3 all-time)
3. Georgian Court University Lions (6-10, 3-3 CACC) – vs. W 17-8 (2-4 all-time)
4. Dominican College Chargers (6-6, 3-3 CACC) – @ W 14-4 (3-0 all-time)
2022 CACC Tournament Schedule:
All Games Played at Georgian Court University, Lakewood, N.J.
Thursday, April 28 – Semifinals:
#4 Dominican vs. #1 Wilmington – 12:00 p.m.
#2 Chestnut Hill vs. #3 Georgian Court – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 30 – Championship:
Semifinal Winner 1 vs. Semifinal Winner 2 - TBD