DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - - Facing its third nationally ranked top three opponent of the young season, the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team dropped a 19-9 decision at No. 3 Mercy on Saturday at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (5-1) broke the game open with a 5-1 second quarter, taking a 10-3 lead into the halftime break. The Wildcats (0-4) scored back-to-back goals in the third quarter to close the gap to within 12-5, but the Mavericks answered with a 3-0 run over their own to close out the quarter and regain momentum.
The game started with TJ Caton giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Jack Cruz made a save to put the Wildcats in possession and TJ Caton put the team's second shot in the back of the net, with the assist by Layton Avant.
Mercy won the ensuing face-off and went on the attack, scoring with 11:38 to play in the quarter to tie the game. Mercy than picked up a ground ball off another Jack Cruz save and found the back of the net, taking the lead with 9:33 to play. The Mavericks went on to score three more times before TJ Caton scored the final goal of the first quarter to make it 5-2 after one quarter.
The Mavericks scored the first four goals of the second to lead 9-2 before Logan Stinson make it 9-3 game with 6:34 to play with his first of the game. But Mercy scored with 45 seconds to play, giving the home team a 10-3 lead at the break.
TJ Caton and Giovanni Marino answered back-to-back Mercy goals with back-to-back goals of their own in the third, making it a 12-5 game with 8:54 to play. The Wildcats had two shots on goal to close the gap even more, but the Mavericks' Tommy Umano came up with the save each time. The Mavericks went on to score following the second save, snapping the Wildcats momentum and taking a 13-5 lead.
Logan Stinson started the fourth with a goal, but the Mavericks had the answer again, scoring back-to-back goals. The fourth quarter would be an even 4-4 draw as the Mavericks won, 19-9.
It is the fourth consecutive game against a ranked opponent, with three of the opponents being ranked in the Top 3. They faced No. 1 Tampa, No. 2 Mercyhurst, No. 13 Pace, and No. 3 Mercy to start the season.
Jacob Herman recorded four assists and is now at 99 career points. TJ Caton led the Wildcats with three goals and an assist while Logan Stinson added three goals. Connor Widmer went 7-of-14 in the face-off circle. Jack Cruz made 20 stops in goal for the Wildcats.
The Mavericks Brady Kearnan recorded eight points in the game with four goals and four assists, surpassing 200 career points as a Maverick.
The Wildcats return home for their next contest, as they square off against Lake Erie on Friday, March 17 at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening face-off is set for 3:00 p.m.