Wheeling, W. Va. - Throughout their non-conference schedule, the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team (2-4, 0-0) set up a tough schedule that would challenge them both offensively and defensively. On Saturday, the Cardinals will take what they have learned as they open Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) play against Walsh with opening faceoff scheduled for 1 PM. After just missing the GMAC playoffs last season, the Cardinals will once again begin their journey to the playoffs against the team that eliminated them from playoff contention a season ago.
The last time the Cardinals took the field was just over a week ago when they took on Davenport in their final preseason non-conference game. The Cardinals got out to a hot start once again, scoring five goals over the first 15 minutes of play and took a 5-3 lead after the first quarter. However, over the next two quarters the Cardinals were held off the board and Davenport put up nine unanswered goals to take an 11-5 lead. However, the Cardinals would sneak one final goal in before the third quarter ended, and the Cardinals would try to make a comeback over the final 15 minutes of play. Wheeling would nearly complete that comeback, scoring five goals in the fourth quarter, but just came up short as they fell 12-11 to move to 2-4 on the season.
Leading the way for the Cardinals as of late has been sophomore Ty Taylor, who over his last three games has scored a combined 17 goals. He has skyrocketed to the team lead with 23 goals and has already set his career high in goals scored. He is on pace to challenge the single-season goal record of 45, held by former Cardinal Dereck Downs, and is averaging 3.8 goals per game this season. Not only is Taylor finding the net, but he is also helping to set up the guys around him for success. He is tied with teammate Jacob Knippel for the team lead in assists with 10 and leads the team with 33 points on the season. He ranks third in the GMAC in goals (23) and tied for fourth in points (33) as he proves to be one of the top offensive players in the conference.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals have collectively been causing turnovers on a consistent basis. Over their last three games, the team has combined for 36 caused turnovers and are second in the GMAC behind Davis & Elkins with 47 caused turnovers this season. Hennin has led the recent Caused Turnover frenzy, with seven over his last three games, and ranks second in the GMAC with 12 caused turnovers over six games played this season. Behind Hennin, goalkeeper Austin Hall has been playing his part as one of the top goalies in the conference. The sophomore sits third in the GMAC in saves (.574), fourth in saves (78) and has the fourth lowest Goals Against Average in the conference at 12.25 goals per game.
As GMAC play gets underway, the Cardinals are looking to grab one of the top four spots in the conference and make their first trip back to the GMAC playoffs since the 2018 season. They came within two games of doing just that last season, before a loss to Walsh officially eliminated them from tournament play. In the annual Preseason GMAC Men's Lacrosse poll, the Cardinals were picked #5 and would need to jump up one spot to earn a playoff berth. A win on Saturday would go a long way to doing just that and showing the growth and progression the team has made from last season to this year.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Cavaliers are meeting for the tenth time in program history on Saturday, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 6-3. They have played better on their home field, with a 3-1 record against Walsh in home games compared to a 3-2 record when the teams meet in North Canton, Ohio. The Cardinals will be trying to break a three-game losing streak at the hands of the Cavaliers, looking for their first win since the 2018 season.
Last season, Walsh picked up their third straight win in the All-Time series, defeating Wheeling 14-2 in North Canton, Ohio. Jacob Knippel and Brenner Chase led the offensive effort, each scoring a goal on the day to account for the Cardinals offense. Joshua Wolford got the start in net and made 15 saves on 29 shots faced while former Cardinal Mat Anderson led the way with two caused turnovers in the game.
The Details
The opening faceoff for Saturday's game is scheduled for 1 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
