Philadelphia, Pa. – (5/1/2021) – Chestnut Hill College completed their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) season sweep with today's 19-8 victory over Post University. The Griffins overpowered the Eagles from the opening faceoff and increasingly afterwards as they outscored the visitors 5-3 in the first frame, and 4-2 in the second, before putting Post University away with a seven-goal third quarter. Senior attack Carson Rees (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) recorded four of his team-high seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in the deciding third quarter. Graduate Zachary Ornstein (Howell, N.J.) won 21-of-22 (.955) faceoffs and recovered 15 ground balls to help keep the Scarlet and Gold in possession.
Firing on all cylinders, Chestnut Hill College (8-2, 5-0) put distance between themselves and Post University (0-7, 0-6) in the third quarter. Rees scored the first goal of the frame on a feed from senior midfielder Scott Wilden (Wexford, Pa.) (10-5, 13:07), assisted junior midfielder Jack Clyne (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) on the second (11-5, 10:28), and scored the third on a slick pass from sophomore midfielder Mike Smith (Center Valley, Pa.), 12-5 (9:42). After an unassisted Wilden goal (13-5, 9:13) he repaid Smith, who scored his eight goal of the season with 3:18 remaining in the frame, 14-5. The Griffins scored twice more in the third period, 16-5, and matched the Eagles fourth-quarter efforts to precipitate the 19-8 final.
In the first half, the Griffins earned their edge with runs in the middle of the first quarter and the beginning of the second. Ornstein's work in the circle made sure the contest was never really in doubt. He scored, unassisted in the second quarter, taking the 11:16 faceoff down the back half of the CHC Campus Field untouched to give the Griffins an 8-3 edge. Rees scored the third goal of the 15 second whirlwind, completing a perfectly placed pass from junior defender P.J. Spernal (Jackson, N.J.) at 11:01 (9-3).
Freshman attack Dylan Heald (Colchester, Conn.) led Post University with a goal and two assists. He also recovered a pair of ground balls. Junior midfielder Justin Nogueira (Southington, Conn.) was also a major contributor for the Eagles with two goals, two ground balls, two caused turnovers, and pair of faceoff wins (2-of-11, .182). In goal, graduate Manuele D'Alessio (Mount Laurel, N.J.) recorded 13 saves, 10 ground balls, and a caused turnover.
Rees added five ground balls and a caused turnover his seven-point performance. Wilden offered five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and a ground ball, while freshman attack Jackson Melnick (Milford, Pa.) provided four points (3 goals, 1 assist) and five ground balls. Junior goalkeeper Jake Miller (Castle Rock, Colo.) earned the win (7-2) with three saves and a ground ball in the first three quarters (45:00).
As the top seed in the upcoming CACC Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament, #1 Chestnut Hill College awaits the winner of the #4 Caldwell University/#5 Dominican College quarterfinal for a Thursday, May-6 semifinal.
