SELINSGROVE, PA – Host Susquehanna University ran out to a 12-2 lead at the half on way to a 24-5 victory over Wilkes University Wednesday afternoon at Sassafras Field.
 
Wilkes drops to 0-4 on the young season following the defeat while Susquehanna improves to 6-1 on the year.
 
The Crusaders jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Nicholas Ruggerio scored for Wilkes at the 6:38 mark of the first quarter. After four straight goals from Susquehanna ended the first and began the second quarter, Matthew Bush (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Jefferson Twp.) found the back of the net off an assist from John Wink (Glenside, Pa./Abington) during a Crusader penalty cutting the deficit to 9-2. Three more goals ended the Susquehanna rally in the first half with the hosts leading 12-2
 
Bush completed the hat trick scoring his second and third goals of the game in the third and fourth quarters before JT Weitzel (Hampstead, Md./North Carroll) added Wilkes' fourth tally off an assist from Ruggerio on another man-up opportunity near the end of regulation.
 
Susquehanna outshot Wilkes 57-25 in the contest while being successful clearing the ball on 13-of-15 attempts. Wilkes went 15-of-21 on clearing attempts.
 
John Malley (Jefferson Twp., N.J./Jefferson Twp.) started and played the whole game in net for the Colonels finishing with 10 saves.
 
Wilkes returns home Saturday looking for its first win of 2016 against Marywood University at 1:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium.