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NEWARK, Del. - - A 9-2 second quarter propelled the top-seeded and 20th ranked Wilmington University men's lacrosse team to a 15-11 victory over No. 4 Post. In the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Semifinals on Wednesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
With the win, the Wildcats advance to the CACC Tournament Championship for the third time in program history, looking to bring home the title for the first time. The Championship will be played on Sunday, May 5, on the campus of Dominican University.
Leading 2-1 after the opening quarter, the Wildcats (11-3) outscored the Eagles (10-8), 9-2, in the second quarter, opening an 11-3 lead at the halftime break.
Jimmy Cava and Jacob Herman scored unassisted goals in the opening quarter but then Logan Stinson sandwiched goals around a Tyler Quinn goal in transition, as the Wildcats took a 5-1 lead with 11:03 to play in the second quarter. Post scored twice to cut into the deficit, 6-3, but then the Wildcats closed out the quarter with five straight. Josh Weston, Miles Crouse, Jon Gaglione, Herman, and TJ Caton all scored for the Wildcats, taking an 11-3 lead into the break. The Wildcats had possession with 54 seconds left and could have held for the final possession, instead scored two goals in the final minute.
Post battled back in the second half, scoring three of the first four goals to close the gap to 12-6. Logan Stinson fired one past the Eagle goalkeeper to make it 13-6 with 3:16 left. The Eagles continued to press closer, scoring the final two goals of the third to get within 13-8 with one quarter left.
Post scored again to start the fourth to get within four, but then Jacob Herman stemmed the tide to keep it a five-goal game. Post scored a pair of goals starting with 5:29 to play, but then Jacob Herman put the final nail in the coffin with 2:24 to play, settling the score at 15-11.
Jacob Herman led the Wildcats with five goals and an assist while Logan Stinson scored three goals. Jimmy Cava scored a goal while adding two assists while Miles Crouse, Jon Gaglione, and TJ Caton all chipped in with a goal and an assist each. Daniel Flynn made 13 saves in the victory, including eight in the fourth quarter alone.
Connor Widmer went 12-for-20 at the spot for the Wildcats, scooping up seven ground balls. Carnell Lofton Jr went 4-for-8 to lead the Wildcats to a 16-12 advantage on face-offs.
The Wildcats play the winner of No. 2 Chestnut Hill and No. 3 Georgian Court who play in the other CACC Tournament Semifinal on Wednesday night.
The Championship is set for an 11:00 a.m. opening face-off on the campus of Dominican University in Orangeburg, New York.