ANGOLA, Ind. - An early lead for Trine University men's lacrosse team allowed them to hold off Concordia (WI) University 11-9 in the Thunder's first Midwest Lacrosse Conference game of the year. With the win the Thunder improve to 4-2 on the season.
The Thunder opened the scoring in the first quarter as junior Dalton Madsen (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) found the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season. Trine would score their first man-up goal of the game as senior Andy Lauer (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) scored on an assist from Madsen. The Falcons would tack on a goal late in the quarter to pull within one.
Trine's offense came alive in the second quarter as they put up seven unanswered goals to take a 9-1 lead. Lauer and fellow senior Blaine Stahley (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) each scored twice in the quarter while Madsen added a man-up goal. Concordia ended Trine's string of goals as they scored with just 39 seconds left in the half as the Thunder led it 9-2.
Concordia began to mount a comeback in the third quarter as they scored twice, while the Thunder were unable to tally a point.
It looked as if the Thunder were going to pull away, as they netted the first two goals of the final quarter as Madsen and freshman Eric Thompson (Cumberland, Maine/Greely) put Trine out in front 11-4. The Falcons would begin to mount their comeback as they pulled within one, scoring five goals in the final 9:33 including one on a man-up opportunity. The Thunder defense came up with several stops in the last four minutes as they held off the Falcons barrage.
Senior Alex Gregg (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville) made a season-high 12 saves in goal for the Thunder to earn the win.
Madsen led the Trine offense with a game-high four goals and three assists. Lauer added a hat trick while Stahley scored twice.
Stahley and Thompson led the Thunder defense with nine groundballs each, while freshman Patrick Walker (Round Lake Park, Ill./Grayslake) grabbed eight. Lauer, Thompson and senior Chris Olney (Columbus, Ohio/Pickerington) each forced two turnovers apiece.
Trine dominated the faceoff circle for the game, winning a near perfect 20-of-23 faceoffs. The Thunder out-shot Concordia 45-35 and dominated recovering groundballs 52-30. Trine had more turnovers, 22-15, but converted on 2-of-3 man-up opportunities compared to 1-of-5 for the Falcons.
Trine returns to action tomorrow (April 1) as they host the Milwaukee School of Engineering at 1:00 p.m.