The Ohio Northern men's lacrosse team opened the Ohio Athletic Conference portion of its 2019 schedule with a record-setting performance in a 26-2 victory over Wilmington on Saturday afternoon at Dial-Roberson Stadium.

The Polar Bears (7-1 overall, 1-0 OAC) set school records with their 26 goals and the 24-goal margin of victory, surpassing the previous records set in a 25-3 win in the 2018 season opener against Calvin (Mich.)

Northern also set a school record with an impressive 18 different players scoring goals, led by freshman Nick Gosnell (Dublin/Jerome) with his first career hat trick and a career-high four goals.

Freshman Ben Gawronski (Dublin/Scioto) also had his first career hat trick with three goals for ONU.

The Quakers (1-5, 0-1) got goals from Mike Smith and Jadon Flannery.

Northern scored 10 first period goals to put the game away early and the first 13 ONU goals were scored by 13 different players.

The Polar Bears played all 55 healthy players that dressed for the game.

Northern led 14-1 at halftime and 22-1 after three periods.

Senior Peter Hardt (Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge) and freshman Christopher Moran (Austin, Tex./Bowie) each added two goals for Ohio Northern.

ONU out-shot WC 62-4, won 26 of the 32 faceoffs and won the ground ball battle by a 52-30 margin.

The Polar Bears will return to action next Saturday with a 1 pm contest against Mount Union.