NEWARK, Del. - - A big second quarter helped 15th ranked Florida Tech over the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team, 19-15, on Monday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (1-2) outscored the Panthers (4-2) in the second half, 8-6, but it was a 7-3 Panther advantage in the second quarter that proved to be too much to overcome.
Back-to-back goals from Joshua Leavery and Logan Stinson tied the game in the early going, 3-3. But the Panthers ended the first quarter by scoring three of the final four goals, including a man-advantage goal with 1:17 to play to lead 6-4 after the opening 15 minutes.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats couldn't string back-to-back goals at all, as the Panthers maintained momentum on the scoreboard with three sets of back-to-back goals. The Wildcats would stop a Panthers run of two goals with a goal of their own, but then the Panthers would answer right back with two more goals. Giovanni Marino, Logan Stinson, and Jake Copio all scored for the Wildcats, but the Panthers went into the half with a 13-7 lead.
The Wildcats tried to fight back in the second half, scoring three of the first four goals in the third quarter to get within 14-10 with 8:58 to play. Jimmy Cava and Giovanni Marino scored back-to-back goals a part of the run. Marino scored again to make it 15-11, but the Panthers scored the final goal of the frame to hold a 16-11 lead going into the fourth.
After Florida Tech scored to make it 17-11 early in the fourth, TJ Caton, Jimmy Cava, and Jacob Herman scored consecutive goals for the Wildcats, bringing them to within 17-14 with 7:10 to play. The Wildcats won the ensuing face-off, but had two turnovers during the stretch of play, without recording a shot. Florida Tech answered with back-to-back goals to regain control of the contest, 19-14, with 3:53 showing on the clock.
Logan Stinson scored the final goal of the game, giving him four goals and an assist in his 2022 debut. Giovanni Marino and Jimmy Cava each scored three goals and added an assist while Jacob Herman scored two goals and led the team with three assists.
Anton Mackey went 22-for-36 in the face-off circle while picking up 14 ground balls. Connor Graser and TJ Caton added five ground balls as well. Jason Roland made seven saves in goal.
The Wildcats were hurt by a season high 24 turnovers, despite outshooting the Panthers, 57-47.
The Wildcats tough early season schedule continues on Saturday, when they travel to Pace who moved up to No. 11 in this week's USILA Division II Coaches Poll. The opening face-off is set for 3:00 p.m.
