By Jesse Balcer Jr.
The Griffins men’s lacrosse team scored 13 unanswered goals en route to an 18-10 win at home over Holy Family University on Saturday.
Sam Slater led the way with six goals as the Griffins improved to 3-0 in conference play.
Before the game, the Griffins paid tribute to the late Billy DiMaio, former CHC lacrosse captain and 2022 graduate, whose life was tragically taken in the Jan. 1 attack in New Orleans.
It was an emotional moment accompanied by bagpipes, both teams meeting face to face at midfield with a display of Billy’s No. 11, a moment of silence, and a brief word from head coach Jim DeCarlo. In his speech, DeCarlo reiterated how he remembers DiMaio for his blue-collar approach, his incredible drive and determination, and the love and support he showed his teammates and his community.
The parents of the team sold memorial red No. 11 T-shirts with the name DiMaio on the back, and a picture of Billy on the front.
With the No. 11 jersey mournfully vacated this year, DeCarlo announced that moving forward, Billy’s No. 11 jersey will be placed upon the player who represents everything Billy embodied, making Billy’s jersey that of a captain’s “C” patch.
Chestnut Hill also honored its seniors: Noah Hammon, Will Duddy, Austin Derx, Mick Kilgallon, Evan Farlow, Nick Suscovich and Cooper Jackson.
The Tigers’ Noah Simpson opened the scoring, and the general feeling amongst some of the crowd was one of doom, that HFU had come to spoil such a special day, because that’s just how sports work sometimes. Then the Griffins rattled off 13 straight, taking a 13-1 lead into the half.
Slater also had three assists for the Griffins and recorded his 100th career point in the process. He is now the 12th player in program history to eclipse 100 points.
Hammon and Jake Ballerini had three goals apiece, and Duddy and Jayden Basalatan contributed a 2nd-quarter goal. Jonathan Bartolomei scored his first collegiate goal to give the Griffins a 7-1 lead.
The Tigers were led by Jhay Dameus with three goals, while Simpson, Xander Kelly, and Jake Feeney had two each.
CHC’s Nick Suscovich won 10 faceoffs and goalkeeper Adam Daley recorded ten saves.
The Griffins are back in action tomorrow, when they take on conference opponents, Georgian Court in Lakewood, N.J. Faceoff is scheduled for noon.
