Wheeling, W. Va. - It has been nearly two and a half weeks since the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team (2-6, 0-2) last took the field due to cancellations and the previous bye week. During that time, the team has been working on their skills and sureing up some of their mistakes from earlier in the season. They now look to take what they have been working on and translate it into on-field success when they take on Frostburg State on Wednesday with opening face-off scheduled for 7 PM.
The last time the Cardinals took the field was back on March 19th when they took on Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) opponent Mercyhurst. The Lakers, who were the #4 team in division two, came out strong in the first two quarters of the game, scoring 13 goals over the first 30 minutes of play and went into halftime leading Wheeling 13-1. However, as the second half rolled around, Wheeling found their groove and combined for seven goals in the final 30 minutes of the game. They went goal for goal with the Lakers in that second half, with each team scoring seven, but in the end Mercyhurst still came out on top with the 20-8 win. However, it was a step forward for Wheeling as they battled with one of the top teams in the country.
Leading the way once again for the Cardinals was sophomore Mike Andersson, who picked up his third straight hat trick in the win. He scored all three of his goals in the second half and was an efficient shooter scoring on all three shots that he had put on net. Over his last three games, Anderson has scored 13 goals, including a seven-goal performance against St. Thomas Aquinas a few weeks ago that tied the single-game goal record. Entering play on Wednesday, Andersson ranks fifth in the MEC in goals this season and is ninth in shots per game (6.71).
The Cardinals saw another big day from a guy who doesn't normally impact the offensive side of the ball in senior Matt Anderson. Anderson put up two goals against the Lakers and now ranks fifth on the team with four goals this season. It was Anderson's first multi-goal effort of the season as he steps up in moments when his team needs him the most. The three other goals in that game came courtesy of Dakota Strong, Jake Wodarek, and Brody Fawver, with Fawver and Wodarek each scoring in back-to-back efforts.
Wednesday will mark Wheeling's final non-conference game of the season as they focus on GMAC play for their final four games. This is also a big week for the Cardinals because it is their first and only time this season when they will play two games in the same week. Head Coach Gage Bradshaw has emphasized the importance of his team's ability to recover after practices and games during the week. This week will be a big test for his team's toughness as they look to end the season on a high note and contend for a spot in the GMAC playoffs come season's end.
The Matchup
Saturday will mark the first ever meeting between the Cardinals and Bobcats as they open the all-time series in Frostburg, Maryland. Through their first eight games of the season, Frostburg State sits at 3-5 and 0-1 in East Coast Conference play. Their last game came on March 30th against #20 Seton Hill in a game that they ended up falling in 12-11. The Bobcats have averaged 11.1 points per game this season as Wheeling looks to start things off with a win in the all-time series.
The Details
Opening Face-off for Wednesday night's doubleheader is scheduled for 7 PM on the campus of Frostburg State. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
