Lakewood, N.J. - (4/24/2019) – Chestnut Hill College captured a valuable Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) victory with today's 16-13 triumph at Georgian Court University as it ensures the Griffins' the 2019 CACC Men's Lacrosse Regular Season Title. The Scarlet and Gold dominated the first half, pacing the Lions to a 12-2 halftime score before enduring the home team's 11-4 second-half rally. Junior attack Scott Wilden (Wexford, Pa.) and sophomore attack Carson Rees (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) scored five goals apiece in the contest, but the former was the star with an additional three assists and three ground balls. Freshman Austin Jones (Courtice, Ontario) offered his second 20-plus save performance, matching his career-high with 21 saves and recovering a ground ball during his 59:56 minutes between the pipes.
 
Chestnut Hill College (9-4, 4-0) gave Georgian Court University (7-8, 3-1) little hope with an impressive first half. The first quarter was competitive at the start as the contest was knotted at 2-2 with nine minutes (9:01) remaining, but that is when the Griffins took control thanks to consecutive tallies from senior defenseman Matthew Anderson (Yardley, Pa.) (3-2, 8:17), Rees (4-2, 7:28), and sophomore attack J.R. Howell (East Meadow, N.Y.) (5-2, 5:34). The Scarlet and Gold capitalized on their momentum, turning a 5-2 first-quarter lead into a 12-2 halftime advantage with 7-0 second-quarter performance. The frame was highlighted by three goals from Wilden (14:33, 12:32, 10:21), two from Rees (13:45, 5:13), and one tally apiece from sophomore midfielder Billy DiMaio (Holmdel, N.J.) (10-2, 6:09) and sophomore midfielder Ben Revak (Aston, Pa.) (12-2, 3:03). In the second half, a 7-2 third-quarter spread brought Georgian Court University back into the fray; 14-9. Fourth quarter bookend goals from senior attack Casey Brown (Havre de Grace, Md.) (15-9, 14:21) and Rees (16-13, 2:26) enough coverage Jones to earn a program, single-season record ninth win (9-3).
 
Five Lions recorded multiple goals in the affair; sophomore midfielder Randy Collins (Mays Landing, N.J.) was the best among them with three goals, two assists, and a ground ball. He and the other Georgian Court University goal scorers benefitted from a four-assist effort from senior midfielder Ryder Verdoni (Farmingdale, N.J.). Verdoni also recorded a ground ball. Freshman defenseman Erick Santamaria (Corning, N.Y.) offered seven ground balls and two caused turnovers, while junior goalkeeper Austin Geissel (Pompton Plains, N.J.) recorded a goal (15-12, 9:28, 4^th), six ground balls, and 14 saves in the loss (7-7).

In addition to Wilden and Rees, Revak recorded multiple goals; he finished the game with three points (2 goals, 1 assist) and a ground ball. Howell totaled two points (1 goal, 1 assist), four ground balls, and a caused turnover. Anderson, Brown, and DiMaio respectively added eight ground balls, four ground balls, and two ground balls to their tallies. Sophomore Stephen Lopuzzo (Ringoes, N.J.) won a half of the 32 face-offs (16-of-32, .500) and recovered two ground balls.
 
Chestnut Hill College concludes their regular season and CACC schedules on Saturday, April 27, when they host Post University in a 3:00 p.m. Senior Day contest on the Campus Field.