Walsh won its first game as a varsity sport in its home debut in convincing fashion as it defeated Wilmington 20-4 at Vasco Field on a chilly Wednesday night. The Cavaliers now improve to 1-3 while the Quakers fall to 3-5.
Mason Axline (Jr., 5-7, Green, OH/HS) and Ian Maurer (Jr. 6-2, Jackson, OH/HS) had explosive games to propel Walsh to the win. Between them, they evenly split 10 goals. Axline added five assists and Maurer recorded three. Ben Stephens (Jr. 6-0, Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional) also had a strong night with three goals and three assists.
The scoring came early and often for the Cavaliers as they outscored Wilmington 6-1 in the opening quarter which included the first four goals of the game. Stephens accounted for two of the first four and Maurer scored two of the six in the opening frame. Wilmington eventually scored with just under three minutes in the first quarter.
The Cavaliers added seven goals in the second to the Quakers’ 2, and six in third while shutting out the visitors. Both teams added a single goal in the fourth.
Jeff Balzano (Jr., 6-0, Chesterland, OH/West Geauga) picked up the win with eight saves on the night against 23 shots faced.
Walsh returns to action next Thursday, April 4, when Lindenwood (Mo.) visits for an ECAC contest. Face-off is set for 4 p.m.
