EDWARDSVILLE – Austin Sosnovik (New Tripoli, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) scored three goals, including the game-winner, and added two assists to lead the Wilkes University men's lacrosse team to a 9-7 non-conference victory over visiting Alvernia University Wednesday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium.
 
Wilkes improved to 2-3 overall on the season while Alvernia dropped to 1-3 on the year.
 
Wilkes jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Sosnovik and a man-up strike from Dillon Kadis (McSherrystown, PA/Delone Catholic) with 9:26 left in the first quarter. Henry O'Connor (Baltimore, MD/Dulaney) and Tim Hartka (Phoenix, MD/Calvert Hall) added assists on the goals respectively.
 
Alvernia answered back tying the game at 2-2 with the equalizer coming at 1:09 on the first quarter clock. Jackson Casper (Bel Air, MD/Bel Air) notched his third goal of the season just as time was expiring (:01) off a helper from Hartka to give the Colonels a 3-2 advantage after one frame.
 
The teams traded goals to start the second quarter as Hartka and O'Connor scored before Kadis added his second of the game off a pass from Colby Opromolla (Patterson, NY/Carmel) to push the Wilkes lead to 6-4 with 4:56 left in the third. Alvernia scored its sixth goal of the game with 2:56 left in the third quarter before Sosnovik buried his second goal of the game unassisted to keep Wilkes ahead 7-5 entering the fourth.
 
Alvernia answered back again tying the game at 7-7 with 12:48 before Sosnovik completed his hat trick with his eighth goal of the season thanks to a pass from Hartka two minutes later. Austin Seames (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny Regional) posted the insurance goal with 5:45 left in the game when he found the back of the net off a Sosnovik assist. Alvernia took two penalties over the final two minutes and the Colonels were able to seal away the win and the clock in the process.
 
Wilkes held a slight shot advantage at 31-27 while converting 22-of-23 clearing attempts. The Colonels were also 2-for-8 in extra-man opportunities while holding Alvernia scoreless in nine attempts.
 
Hartka joined Sosnovik on offense with four points on one goal and three assists. Kadies added the two goals. Joseph Marino (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) recorded the win in net finishing with seven saves.
 
Wilkes continues non-conference play Saturday with a matchup at Hood College at 1:00 p.m.