NEWARK, Del. - - Four goals to close out the second quarter gave the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team the distance it needed before running away with a 25-12 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over Holy Family on Wednesday at the WU Athletics Complex.
The second-year program Tigers hung right with the Wildcats until midway through the second quarter, trading goals to get within 7-6. But then the Wildcats closed out the second quarter by scoring the final four goals, taking an 11-6 lead into the halftime break.
Toby Templeton led the Wildcats in the first quarter, scoring three of the first four goals and giving the Wildcats a 4-1 lead. The Tigers scored back-to-back goals to close the gap, exiting the first quarter trailing 5-3.
The teams then traded the first five goals of the second quarter, with the Tigers closing the gap to within 7-6, with 9: 12 to play. Gavin Paraschak, Toby Templeton, Carter Earl, and Tyler Quinn all scored before the end of the quarter, including Quinn racing down field and beating the clock with three seconds left for the 11-6 lead.
The Wildcats scored the first goal of the third quarter but then the Tigers made one final push, scoring three straight to climb to within 12-9 with 6:22 left. But the Wildcats had an answer again, scoring the final three goals of the quarter to thwart any comeback and led 15-9, going into the fourth.
The fourth was all Wilmington, scoring eight straight to take a 24-10 lead. Six different Wildcats scored in an 8-0 run, with Josh Lovely leading the way with three goals, stretching the lead out to 24-10.
Toby Templeton led the Wildcats with six goals while Carter Earl scored five goals and added an assist. Gavin Paraschak scored four goals while Andrew Dubak contributed three goals and an assist. Connor Widmer went 22-for-35 in face-offs as the Wildcats went 25-for-41 overall. Brady Frys had five caused turnovers and four ground balls while Paul Army and Ryan McCrary each had three caused turnovers. Daniel Flynn made nine saves for the win.
The Wildcats remain home for one more contest, hosting the Post Eagles on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening face-off is set for 1:00 p.m.
