WILSON, N.C. - - A 7-1 swing spanning the halftime break allowed Barton to capture a 14-10 nonconference victory over the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team in the Wildcats' season opener on Saturday afternoon at Truist Stadium.
With the Wildcats (0-1) leading, 4-3, midway through the second quarter, the Bulldogs (1-1) closed the half on a 5-1 run and then scored the opening two goals of the third quarter to take a 10-5 lead and never look back.
Newcomer Andrew Dzubak got the Wildcats on the board for the first time in 2025, tying the game, 1-1, with 11:49 on the clock in the first quarter. Josh Weston scored his first of year to take a 2-1 lead, but Barton tied the game, 2-2, as the first quarter came to a close.
After Barton opened the second quarter with a goal, Dominik West and West scored back-to-back marks to take a 4-3 lead with 6:53 on the clock. But Barton took the ensuing face-off and scored immediately, swinging momentum in favor of the Bulldogs. They would score two more times to take a 6-4 lead with 4:39 to play in the half before Gavin Paraschak stemmed the tide for a moment with his first of the season, 6-5. But the Bulldogs again scored quick back-to-back goals just 13 seconds apart, claiming an 8-5 lead at the half.
The second quarter saw nine goals in the frame while the third quarter scoring didn't get started until the 6:21 mark. It was Barton again for back-to-back goals just 10 seconds apart, making it 10-5 with 6:11 to play in the third. Josh Weston stopped the run, but Barton tallied another goal with 26 seconds remaining, taking an 11-6 lead into the fourth quarter.
Andrew Dzubak started the fourth quarter off on the right foot for the Wildcats with a quick goal to bring the visitors to within four, 11-7, but then the Bulldogs scored three straight to take a 14-7 lead and put the game away. Carter Earl scored back-to-back goals before Gavin Paraschak added another for the Wildcats, but it proved to be too little too late int eh fourth quarter.
Josh Weston led the Wildcats with three goals while Carter Earl finished with two goals and an assist for three points. Gavin Paraschak and Andrew Dzubak finished with two goals each. Patrick Craig led with two assists in his Wildcat debut. Daniel Flynn made eight saves in goal while CJ Lofton led the faceoff attack by going 8-for-16.
The Wildcats outshot the Bulldogs, 41-33, but Bulldog netminder Nate Lehr made 15 saves on 25 shots on goal.
The Wildcats return to action next Wednesday afternoon as they travel to Long Island, New York, to take on Molloy. The opening face-off is set for 1:00 p.m. on February 26.