Wheeling, W. Va. – On Tuesday, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) announced their annual All-Region North teams.  It has been three seasons since the Wheeling Men's Lacrosse team has been featured, but after taking a Major step forward this past season they have a representative on the list once again. Cardinals defender Mat Anderson has been named a Third-Team USILA All-Region Defender for the first time in his career.

Anderson was a leader for the Cardinals on the defensive side of things and proved to be one of the top defenders in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC). He finished second on the Cardinals with 40 ground balls and led the team with 15 caused turnovers this season. He also helped lead a team that is in it's second year of a rebuild and features a roster loaded with freshmen and sophomores. He was a part of a Cardinals defensive effort that held Shutouts in the first half of two games this season and was consistently placed on the oppositions best offensive player. Under his leadership, the Cardinals saw a three- win improvement from the previous season as they battled for a GMAC playoff spot.

He also made an impact on the offensive side of the ball coming up with some big goals throughout the season. He finished the year with a career-high five goals this season while taking 15 shots and placing nine of those shots on goal. He is also responsible for one of the most memorable goals of the season against Davis & Elkins on April 16th at Bishop Scott Field. With just seconds remaining on the second quarter clock, Anderson caused a turnover in the Senators offensive zone. He then picked up the groundball and went charging towards the midfield line. He let it rip and found the back of the net to give Wheeling an 8-0 lead as they headed into the half.

Anderson is the 17th Wheeling University Student-athlete to be named to an All-Region team this season and the fourth player to be named during the spring season. For Wheeling Lacrosse, it is there first All-Region player since the 2018 season after being held off the list the last couple of seasons. It is a sign that the program is continuing to move forward and progress as they head into the off-season.

The Wheeling Men's Lacrosse team is into their off-season workouts and are excited to return to the field during Fall ball 2022.