The Genesee Community College men's lacrosse team earned the Western New York Athletic Conference title with a win over Mercyhurst North East on Wednesday night, defeating the visiting Saints 14-3.
Genesee took a 1-0 lead on a first quarter goal from Connor Latimer (Whitby, ON), who needed just four points entering the night to break the GCC record for most points in a single season, a record he set last year with 99 points. Latimer made it 3-0 with a goal about five minutes later and then earned a hat trick with a goal to make it 5-1 at the end of the opening quarter.
After taking a 6-1 lead into the halftime break, Latimer assisted on an early second half goal by Gaehnew Printup (Tuscarora, NY), earning his 100th point of the season and setting the single season points record. The Cougars scored eight of the final nine goals and wrapped up the WNYAC title with a perfect 4-0 conference record this season.
(#15 Connor Latimer helps up teammate Joe Pedro after Pedro scores a first half goal against Mercyhurst North East on Wednesday night)
Latimer finished with three goals and two assists, giving him 101 points on the season. Printup added five goals and two assists and Jon Gill (Cattaraugus Territory) chipped in two goals.
Spencer Halliwell-Allen (St. Catherines, ON) and Joe Pedro (Batavia, NY) led the midfield with a goal and an assist each.
Defensively, Aaron Hayward (Hilton, NY) had ten ground balls and two takeaways and Vin Pedro (Batavia, NY) had three takeaways and four ground balls.
Genesee improves to 13-2 overall on the year and will conclude the regular season on Saturday when they host SUNY Delhi at 2pm.
