STEUBENVILLE, OH - Wilmington took a while to wake up to a physical game played on a wet and muddy surface, but the Fightin' Quakers overcame a 5-1 deficit to post a 16-10 victory over Franciscan Friday.


"They jumped out on us early, and our first quarters have been weak," said Marzano. "The first ten minutes we got smoked! As a young team, I was happy with our composure when it got chippy, and Jalen Jackson is a major contributor to our success because he was phenomenal today. Nobody could guard him through the midfield and Jalen just took it to them."

The game became a battle for physical superiority as the balance of power was a toss-up with the intangible factor as a muddy and slick playing surface brings which adds to the testament and praise Marzano gave his players to keep their composure after falling behind in a rough, yet spirited game.

After allowing the home team to score five of the first six goals, the Quakers adjusted to pull to within one, 5-4, at the end of the first quarter.

Both teams battled throughout the game and Marzano added, "once we got the lead, we didn't let go which is a positive sign for us as a team figuring out how to come together in game situations."

Wilmington was able to control most of the possession play in the fourth quarter once they grabbed the lead and were able to control the tempo of the game.

"We must have had at least four possessions that lasted longer than a minute where three out of the four offensive sets resulted in a score for us," said Marzano.

The Quaker attack-men strategically showed themselves as options to the hard working Quaker midfield that continuously pushed transition and cleared the ball upfield which allowed the attack to get comfortable in and behind the Franciscan goal to set up offensive plays.

The Wilmington attack - Corey Stevens (Franklin, OH/Springboro), Kirby Dearth (Hilliard, OH/Darby) and Alex Gossard (Galloway, OH/Hilliard Bradley) - accounted for 11 goals on the day. Dearth led the way with four goals and five assists, Gossard four goals and three assists and Stevens with three goals.

Jackson (Hilliard, OH/Bradley) added three goals and three assists, while Evan Osborne (Middletown, OH/Lebanon) added two goals.

Once the Wilmington defense organized itself and figured out Franciscan's offensive sets the Quakers were able to tighten up the reigns and created several turnovers and push the transition through the midfield.

"If Garrett Todd can continue to defend and push transition like he did today and in Saturday's home opener, I'm excited to see where his progress can lead us from the defense," said Marzano.

Wilmington returns to action 1 p.m. Sunday against Alma at Williams Stadium.