LAFAYETTE HILL, Pa. - - Chestnut Hill raced out to a big halftime lead and hung on, 15-10, despite a second half comeback effort from the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team on Wednesday night at Victory Field.
The Wildcats (2-6, 1-2 CACC) got off to a slow start, only scoring single goals in the first two quarters. Chestnut Hill (7-2, 3-0 CACC) scored five goals under the two two-minute marks of the first half, including a goal with less than one second left in the first and 20 seconds left in the second.
The Griffins won the first quarter, 6-1, and the second quarter, 4-1, to lead, 10-2, at the halftime break. All that despite the Wildcats leading in shots, 15-12, in the first and the shot totals being even at the break, 23-23.
The teams traded the first two goals of the third quarter, but then the Wildcats' Logan Stinson and Giovanni Marino scored back-to-back goals to get within 11-5 with 9:12 to play in the third. the teams traded goals the rest of the way, with the Wildcats winning the third, 4-3, but still trailed, 13-6, going into the final stanza.
Miles Crouse and Connor Widmer scored the first two goals of the fourth quarter, giving the Wildcats life, 13-8, with 6:52 to play. After Chestnut Hill scored to break the momentum, the Wildcats put back-to-back goal on the board again and trailed, 14-10, with 4:18 to play.
Charlie Plasse won the ensuing faceoff and the Wildcats had two shots, but the second was saved and the Griffins went the other way. The Wildcats got the ball back but again their second shot of the possession was saved, and the Griffins found the back of the net to ice the game, 15-10, with 53 seconds left.
Jacob Herman led the Wildcats with two goals and three assists while Logan Stinson scored twice and added an assist. Miles Crouse scored a goal and dished out an assist while TJ Caton added two goals as well. Brendan Leonard picked up five ground balls to lead the defense.
Chestnut Hill won the face-off battle, 18-10, but the Wildcats outshot the Griffins, 44-42, in the contest.
The Wildcats look to rebound on Saturday as they return home and host Post on Senior Day. The opening whistle is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.