SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College men's lacrosse team earned its first win of the 2025 campaign by taking down Dominican University 11-8 on Wednesday, February 26.

AIC is 1-0 to start the season.

The Yellow Jackets notched the game's first two goals, both from Jacob Ligor. He struck at 4:47 and 7:33 to give AIC a 2-0 lead. A penalty allowed the Chargers to strike back just 27 seconds later, but the Yellow Jackets scored the final goal of the quarter, as Cole Gaudet's first collegiate tally came at 13:09 on a feed from Camden MacDonald for a 3-1 lead after one.

Dominican scored two more goals, both while up a man, in the second, but Seven Gillingham hit the net twice, and Ligor completed his hat trick right at the 10:00 mark, as the Yellow Jackets built to a 6-3 halftime lead.

The Chargers cut the gap to 6-5 just 2:48 into the third, but AIC answered, with a tremendous end-to-end rush by goalkeeper Nicholas Kendall. He found Jordan Boyenko below the goal line, and Boyenko in turn was able to set up Hunter Terlik for a one-timer at 3:40. Ligor and Boyenko then scored back-to-back goals eight seconds apart, with Ligor striking at 8:39 and Carter Linkletter driving forward off the subsequent faceoff and finding Boyenko free in front. AIC ultimately led 9-6 after the period expired.

The Yellow Jackets put the game away early in the fourth, as Ligor notched his fifth of the day at 2:16 and Gaudet grabbed his second at 3:01 for the 11th and final AIC goal. 

Rowan Ruggiero forced five turnovers, while Linkletter caused four, won 11 ground balls, and went 11-for-13 on faceoffs. Nick Mackay also won six of seven faceoffs.

Logan Dobrowski was strong with nine saves over the first 30:00 to earn the win; Kendall stopped seven in his NCAA debut, playing the entire second half.

The win marked the first career victory for head coach Corey Nehlig.

AIC will return to action Saturday, March 1 against Georgian Court University at 1:00 p.m.