BOX SCORE

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California men's lacrosse team powered to a 17-11 win on Senior Day over NAIA Westminster College on Sunday to capture the program's first ever Baggataway Tournament Cup.

The tournament, founded in 2008, is the annual end-of-season tournament played between Dominican, Grand Canyon University, and Westminster. The trophy features a Native American holding a lacrosse stick and is passed from winner to winner every season.  The home team has now won the tournament every season. Dominican's two seniors, Joey Sullivan and Josh McCay, who were honored in a pregame ceremony, have now played in all three tournaments.

The Penguins, who finish the regular season at 4-7, took advantage of two man up opportunities to take an early 2-1 lead with scores by Reed Upson and Cam Evangelho. Westminster (9-5) evened the score at 5:20 on Jimmy Nguyen's unassisted goal but the Penguins clamped down from there. Corey Botwinick scored two of his four goals and was assisted on one by Matt Polizzi. Jim Little got into the scoring with 33 seconds left in the quarter to send Dominican into the second quarter with a 5-2 advantage. Zach Rodriguez netted a goal 15 seconds into the second quarter but the Griffins fired off a pair of goals to pull within 6-4. Little added another goal but Josh Condas scored for Westminster just two minutes later. The second quarter became the Jim Little show though and the scrappy freshman scored the game's next four goals to put Dominican up 11-5. Westminster scored twice to slow the Penguins but Dominican took the momentum right back when Little connected with Evangelho.

With Dominican leading 11-7 at halftime, Jake Arthur scored the first of his two goals for the Griffins to open the third quarter and Nguyen added another goal to make it 11-9. Botwinick scored Dominican's only goal of the quarter to keep the Penguins out in front 13-9. The Penguins doubled up the Griffins 4-2 in the final quarter, with defenseman Ben Wang assisting Corey Whelan for a goal.

Little set a Dominican single game scoring record on Sunday with his eight goals and four assists.

Nguyen, Gian Sexsmith, Josh Condas, and Jake Arthur all scored twice for the Griffins.

“I couldn't be happier for to finish the careers of Joey Sullivan and Josh McCay with a win," remarked Dominican Head Coach Ned Webster. "We played a solid, smart game, and I'm pumped to carry our progress into the off-season.”

The Penguins will play an exhibition game with the Dominican Alumni on Saturday, April 24 as part of the University's Reunion 2010 Weekend. Faceoff at Forest Meadows Field is slated for 2:00 p.m.