Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/3/26
From Press Release
An 8-2 halftime lead was more than enough for the Wilmington University men’s lacrosse team on Saturday, claiming its first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship with a 9-5 victory over Chestnut Hill at the WU Athletics Complex in Newark, DE.
With the win, the Wildcats (12-4) earn the conference’s automatic qualification into the NCAA Division II North Region Tournament, making their second straight appearance into the NCAA bracket. They now await their matchup and destination with the Selection Show set for 10:00 p.m. tonight on NCAA.com.
It is the Wildcats’ first CACC Tournament Championship title after appearing in four previous title games. They’ve won the CACC Regular Season each season since 2024.
The offense started strong, scoring the game’s opening three goals in the first four and a half minutes. Josh Weston, Max Runce, and Cole Heinold all scored unassisted goals to take a 3-0 lead with 10:43 to play in the first quarter. Chestnut Hill final got on the board with 4:39 to play, but the Wildcats took the 3-1 lead into the second quarter, outshooting the Griffins, 13-4, in the quarter.
The Wildcats again came out firing on all cylinders in the second quarter, scoring the first four goals of the frame. Cole Heinold hit his second of the game before Josh Lovely scored on the man-advantage for the 5-1 lead with 6:28 left. Josh Weston notched his second of the game before Carter Barrie finished off a feed from Heinold for the 7-1 lead with 3:32 left before the half. Chestnut Hill broke up the scoring run with their second of the game, but then Ian Betts scored with 34 seconds left to send the Wildcats into the break lead, 8-2.
Out of the break, the offense slowed down, but the defense held strong as the Griffins attempted a comeback. They scored twice in the third quarter, but more than nine minutes apart, closing the gap to 8-4.
Chestnut Hill scored again with 10:54 left in the fourth quarter, getting to within 8-5, but then Daniel Flynn stepped up in goal. Five of his eight saves in the game came in the fourth quarter, keeping the Griffins off the board the rest of the way, including a diving save while scampering back into his crease. Ian Betts then stamped the victory with his second goal o of the game, 9-5, with 4:59 to play.
Daniel Flynn saved a shot with 3:18 to play and the Griffins never got another shot off. The Wildcats had a clear with 48 seconds left and then ran out the clock and celebrated their first ever Tournament Championship.
Josh Weston and Cole Heinold led the Wildcats with two goals and an assist each while Ian Betts scored two goals. Quinn Tracy had three caused turnovers with three ground ball as well. Brendan Macdonell and Julian Businsky added two caused turnovers as well. Brian McGarvey went 13-for-18 on faceoffs, adding six ground balls. Daniel Flynn finished with eight saves. Aidan Walsh had two goals and an assist for Chestnut Hill (9-5).
2026 CACC All-Tournament Team:
Julian Businsky, Wilmington
Carter Earl, Wilmington
Daniel Flynn, Wilmington
Brian McGarvey, Wilmington
Quinn Tracy, Wilmington
Josh Weston, Wilmington
Jake Ballerini, Chestnut Hill (Freedom)
Adam Daley, Chestnut Hill
Aidan Walsh, Chestnut Hill
Jake Feeney, Holy Family (Eastern Regional-NJ)
MVP: Daniel Flynn, Wilmington
