LAKEWOOD, N.J. – The nationally-ranked Saint Anselm College men's lacrosse team racked up nine goals in the second half to ease past Georgian Court by a 15-6 margin on Wednesday.

Box Score

The Hawks, ranked 18th in NCAA Division II by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, improves to 3-0 to start the season. Georgian Court, receiving votes in the USILA coaches' poll, dips to 4-5 on the year.

Saint Anselm scooped up 70 ground balls, the fourth-most ever recorded in a game. Freshman Craig Yannone (Lynnfield, Mass.) won 20 of his 23 face-off attempts, scooping up 14 ground balls by himself to fall just one shy of the single-game individual record of 15.

Junior Sean Tomaszewski (Arlington, Mass.) fired off a career-high four goals in the game, picking up four ground balls for Saint Anselm. He was matched in point production by a two-goal, two-assist performance by classmate Matt Ward (Shrewsbury, Mass.).

The Hawks opened up a six-goal lead with 7:19 to go in the first half as Tomaszewski had three in that span for the Hawks. Junior Griffin Shoemaker (Shirley, Mass.) had two goals in that stretch for the Hawks, who carried a 6-1 advantage into halftime thanks to his team taking 29 of the game's 44 shots at that point.

Georgian Court halved the Hawks lead shortly into the fourth quarter, but Saint Anselm still enjoyed an 8-4 advantage. The Hawks put the game out of reach with the game's next five goals, pushing their lead to nine goals through the end of regulation time.

Freshman Will Harvey (Franklin, Mass.) had four ground balls in the win and sophomore Kyle Fisher (Nashua, N.H.) had a career-best two caused turnovers. Junior Ryan Richards (Mendon, Mass.) had five ground balls and freshman Jack Robinson (Wilbraham, Mass.) corralled seven ground balls.

Freshman Ethan Dolan (Littleton, Mass.) caused a career-high four turnovers with a personal-best three ground balls for the Hawks.

Junior CJ Hart (Reading, Mass.) made 10 saves on 15 shots, earning the win in goal for Saint Anselm. Freshman Will Davis (Franklin, Mass.) followed Hart, making his collegiate debut, and registering two saves on three shots in the game's final 4:48.

Vincent Giunta and Lucas Iarossi each had a goal and an assist for Georgian Court, who saw its backstop, Austin Geissel, make 30 saves on 45 shots on frame for the Hawks.

The Hawks host top-ranked Le Moyne this Saturday, Mar. 14 at high noon.