EDWARDSVILLE – The visiting University of Scranton raced out to a 9-2 halftime lead and never looked back on way to a 14-5 opening season victory over Wilkes University Wednesday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium.
 
After Scranton took a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter, Jeremy Kachel (Ephrata, PA/Ephrata) put the Colonels on the board with a man-up goal off a John Wink (Glenside, PA/Abington) assist to close out the frame.
 
Scranton would score the game's next five goals to extend the lead to 8-1 before Wink found the back of the net himself when he picked up a ground ball and swiftly tossed it into the open cage just before the halftime buzzer sounded.
 
Nico Lorenzo (Howell, NJ/Howell) and JT Weitzel (Hampstead, MD/North Carroll) went back-to-back early in the fourth quarter for Wilkes to cut the deficit to 12-4, but two more Royal strikes kept the visitors ahead for good midway through the final frame. Kachel notched his second goal of the game with 3:42 left to end the scoring for both teams.
 
Scranton held a strong advantage in the face-off circle winning 17-of-22 attempts to start its offensive attack. The Royals also held a 30-19 advantage in ground balls throughout.
 
Cody Geidel (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and Carter Whittemore (Rochester, NY/West Irondequoit) split time in the cage for Wilkes combining for 19 saves.
 
Wilkes returns to action next Wednesday continuing its home stand with a 4:00 p.m. matchup with Marywood University at Schmidt Stadium.