BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. (May 2, 2009) - A strong second and third quarter highlighted by a five-goal effort from senior attacker Greg Cerar (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) propelled No. 2 C.W. Post over No. 9 Dowling College, 15-8, to claim the East Coast Conference Men's Lacrosse title.

With its chances of an NCAA berth almost certain, C.W. Post closes out the regular season with a 13-1 record and finishes atop the conference with a 6-0 record.  Dowling concludes its season with an overall record of 7-6 with a 3-3 mark in the ECC.  The Pioneers shared the ECC title in 2006 along with Mercyhurst and Dowling.

Sophomore midfielder Mike Messina (Sayville, N.Y.) scored the game's first goal at 10:51 in the first quarter before the Golden Lion offense went on a 3-0 scoring spree.

C.W. Post rallied back with two unanswered tallies from senior attacker Matt Dimler (Long Valley, N.J.) and junior midfielder Joe Meo (West Sayville, N.Y.) to tie the game with 1:20 remaining in the first.

Dowling went ahead 4-3 with 26 seconds left in the first quarter when junior midfielder John McClure fired a shot into the back of the net.

The second quarter belonged to C.W. Post as the Pioneers scored four unanswered goals, including two from Dimler. 

Freshman midfielder John Amato netted Dowling's fifth goal with 1:32 left to play in the half.

The Pioneers continued their offensive drive in the third quarter, outscoring the Golden Lions 6-0, as Cerar and Coric each netted two goals while Coric added three assists. 

Dowling put three goals in net during the fourth quarter.  Cerar scored his fourth and fifth goals of the game.

C.W. Post outshot Dowling, 50-33 and held a 64-45 advantage in ground balls.  The Pioneers were 19-for-22 in clear attempts while the Golden Lions were 23-for-26. 

McClure and junior midfielder Brandon Bergersen led the Golden Lions with two goals apiece.

Dimler and sophomore attacker Nicholas Coric (Walnut Creek, Calif.) each scored three goals and combined for six assists in the game.

Senior goalkeeper Daniel Sciulla (Merrick, N.Y.) made 10 saves in goal for the Pioneers.  Sophomore Ryan Dougherty stopped 16 Pioneer shots for Dowling.

-Provided by C.W. Post Sports Information department.