EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University men's lacrosse team set a program record in goals in a game after a 26-6 win over Juniata College in the Colonels Landmark Conference opener Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium.
 
Wilkes improved to 4-5 overall and 1-0 in Landmark games while Juniata slipped to 1-7 overall and 0-1 in conference contests. The 20-point win also marked the largest margin of victory in program history.
 
The goals came early and often as the Colonels broke the single game record for goals in a game which previously stood at 23 goals in a Colonels 23-8 win at Wells College in 2018. Anthony DiFrancesco (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) and Stone Sosnovik (New Tripoli, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) led the attack each tying the single game goals mark at seven goals. DiFrancesco posted 11 points on seven goals and four assists, as the 11 points ranks second in program history in a single game just one point behind John Wink's 12 points against Mount Saint Mary in 2019.
 
S. Sosnovik notched seven goals while brother Austin Sosnovik (New Tripoli, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) finished with seven assists, two behind his program record of nine he set last season against Pitt-Bradford. Tim Hartka (Phoenix, MD/Calvert Hall) was the final Colonel over seven points finishing with nine points on six goals and three helpers.
 
Juniata scored the game's first goal at 11:02 of the first quarter before Wilkes began the offensive onslaught. DiFrancesco scored three times and Hartka and S. Sosnovik notched two goals each as Wilkes led 7-3 after one.
 
The second quarter put the game out of reach as Wilkes outscored Juniata 7-0 over the frame on way to a commanding 14-3 advantage at the half. S. Sosnovik scored four goals over the second quarter of play to lead the Colonels.
 
Wilkes continued its scoring attack in the second half with 12 more goals over the final 30 minutes of play. Ben Byers (Harding, PA/Wyoming Area) became the fourth Colonel with three or more goals striking three times in the second half while Blaine Snyder (Germansville, PA/Northwestern Lehigh), Oscar Cline (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz) and Vinny Santoro (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa Park) all added goals.
 
Caleb Miller (Mohrsville, PA/Schuylkill Valley) finished with nine saves on way to the win in goal for Wilkes.
 
Prior to the win, Wilkes honored its three seniors including Michael Rauch (Jackson, NJ/Jackson), Miller and Hartka in a ceremony.
 
Wilkes continues its home stretch Wednesday when the Colonels welcome Susquehanna University for a Landmark contest scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium.