W. CALDWELL, N.J. -- Senior attackman Jason Staudte (Sound Beach, N.Y.) slipped a one-timer into the net at 1:26 in overtime, lifting Caldwell men's lacrosse to a 9-8 triumph over St. Thomas Aquinas in non-league action at Essex Valley Field on Wednesday.

After STAC (4-9) scored with one second left in regulation to sent the game to the extra session, the strong defense and play in goal on both sides that ruled regulation continued through the OT period. Senior GK Shane Murphy (Middletown, N.J.) saved a STAC shot, flipped ahead to senior midfielder Nick Bonfiglio (Middletown, N.J.), who beat the defense past midfield, and two passes later, soph attackman Gavin Starr (Montgomery, N.Y.) flipped a pass to Staudte to the goalkeeper's left. The senior quick-triggered it in touching off a rain-soaked celebration and the Cougar victory.

Senior midfielder Jayden Paladino (Hawthorne, N.J.) had a team-best four goals for Caldwell (3-4). Staudte and freshman Owen Tarnowski (Roxbury, N.J.) had two apiece. Murphy finished the day with seven saves.

The STAC contest is the last non-league game of the year; the Cougars return to CACC play on Tuesday vs. Dominican at 4 p.m at Essex Valley Field.