NEWARK, Del. - - A strong start helped lead the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team to a 10-8 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory against Chestnut Hill, battling the rain and the Griffins but hanging on down the stretch on Wednesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The victory is just the second all-time against the Griffins (4-4, 2-1 CACC), as the Wildcats (4-3, 3-0 CACC) snapped a three-game losing streak to their conference foe.
The Wildcats started strong by scoring the first five goals of the game, leading 4-0 after the first quarter and scoring the first goal of the second quarter. The Wildcats led, 6-1, at the halftime break.
The Wildcats used four different goal scorers in the first quarter, as Carter Earl, Jimmy Cava, Jacob Herman, and Logan Stinson all scored. Daniel Flynn recorded three saves in the first quarter to keep the Griffins off the scoreboard.
Carter Earl started the second quarter with a goal and the Wildcats were leading, 5-0, with 9:09 to play in the half. Sam Slater put Chestnut Hill on the board, but then TJ Caton found the back of the net with 2:54 to play to put the Wildcats ahead, 6-1. Daniel Flynn stopped another six shots for the Wildcats, making nine saves at the halftime break.
Chestnut Hill regrouped at halftime and came out strong in the second half, but the Wildcats were able to answer the call and hang on for the win.
The Griffins scored three of the first four goals of the third quarter, getting to within 7-4 with 8:25 to play. But then Miles Crouse scored his second of the quarter to settling things down, getting another goal from Jacob Herman with 2:06 showing on the close to go end the quarter in front, 9-4.
The first goal of the fourth quarter didn't come until six minutes in, but it was Chestnut Hill who cut into the deficit. The visitors scored the first three goals of the fourth quarter to get to within 9-7 with 3:51 to play and won the ensuing face-off to go on the attack again. But Gunner Settar came up with a caused turnover and ground ball as the Wildcats took off the other way.
While being able to wind the clock down, Jacob Herman found Josh Weston on the near post for an easy pitch and catch goal, giving the Wildcats a 10-7 lead with 1:13 to play. Chestnut Hill was able to score late in the game, but the score was settled, 10-8.
Jacob Herman led the offense with two goals and two assists while Miles Crouse and Carter Earl scored two goals and added an assist each. Crouse chipped in with two caused turnovers and two ground balls as well. TJ Caton scored a goal and added an assist while Jimmy Cava, Josh Weston, Logan Stinson all chipped in with goal.
Zac Wallen came away with three caused turnovers and added two ground balls while Tyler Quinn had two caused turnovers and three ground balls. Daniel Flynn made 10 saves to improve to 4-1 in net.
