WATERBURY, Conn. – The Post University men's lacrosse team picked up its first win of the year 9-5 over Wilmington in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) game at LaMoy Field on Sunday morning. First-year head coach Anthony Fitti earned his first-career coaching victory.
 
Senior Frank Nichols Jr. (Carlsbad, Calif.) got things started for the Eagles as he sent home a pass from sophomore Corey Auten (Stratford, Conn.) to put Post in front in the first quarter. The Wildcats tied the game 1-1 on their next possession and it remained knotted up after a quarter.
 
Post outshot Wilmington 12-5 in the second and capitalized on its chances with three goals, one each by senior Kyle Hewlett (Bridgeport, Conn.), junior Sean Olsen (Old Bridge, N.J.), and Auten. The Eagles led 4-2 at halftime.
 
Each team had chances in the third, but Auten struck again for his second goal of the day to extend the Eagles lead to 5-2 with 12:10 to play in the quarter. A long pass from Wildcats' goalkeeper Noah Given setup a goal for the visitors in the closing seconds of the third to make the score 5-3 through three.
 
Senior Dominick Parente (Monroe Township, N.J.) had an assist and two goals to start the fourth as Post maintained its largest lead of the day at 8-4 with 6:05 remaining. Wilmington scored with a man-up with under four minutes left. Nichols Jr. put a stamp on the Eagles' first victory with his second goal in the final minute.
 
Shots were tied at 33-33, but the Wildcats had a slim 20-18 advantage in shots on goal. Sophomore goaltender Manuele D'Alessio (Mount Laurel, N.J.) made 15 saves, including 11 in the second half. The Eagles grabbed a season-high 34 ground balls, led by Nichols with five and sophomore Wilson Gurney (Victoria, British Columbia) with four.
 
Senior Mike Brumber (Hicksville, N.Y.), sophomore Stephan Ceconi (New Milford, Conn.) and Auten each had a team-high two caused turnovers.
 
The Eagles continue conference play on Wednesday on the road at Dominican. Game time is set for 4 p.m.