Lakewood, N.J.-The Georgian Court University men's lacrosse squad closed out its 2016 home slate Monday afternoon with the program's first-ever triumph in front of the GCU faithful as the Lions dropped visiting St. Thomas Aquinas College by a slim 11-9 margin.

The victory marks Georgian Court's second of the season (2-12) and second vs. STAC as the Lions topped the Spartans (0-12), 11-6, back on April 4 in Sparkill, N.Y.

St. Thomas Aquinas jumped out to an early 5-2 advantage with 11:04 to go before intermission. However, a CJ Francisco tally with 3:26 left in the second kick-started a GCU run of six unanswered goals to provide the home team with an 8-5 surplus with 3:19 remaining in the third stanza.

The Spartans would inch to within one goal on two separate occasions in the fourth, edging to within 8-7 at 10:42 and 10-9 with just 2:57 left in regulation. Jake Sherman would provide the Lions the necessary breathing room has he buried a Michael Negrete feed with 2:24 to go before GCU raised its collective sticks in victory.

Jack Wilson earned his first win in the GCU net, collecting seven saves in the complete-game effort.

Sherman shined for the Lions, draining a game-high four goals to go along with one assist. Cory Boyle and Connor Houghton each provided a pair of goals while Francisco and Negrete added a tally and two helpers apiece.

The Lions conclude their inaugural campaign Saturday afternoon at American International College.