Walsh would go on the attack early, getting a shot off on the first minute of the game, but an Austin Hall save would set the tone. The two teams would go back and forth over the first seven minutes, but at the 8:10 mark, Toby Olynyk would start the scoring for Walsh, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead. It didn't take long for the Cardinals to respond as less than a minute later a caused turnover by Owen Worley sent the ball to the offensive end. Brenner Chase would set the offense and took it all the way to goal to tie the score at 1-1. It was the start of a big day for Chase, sitting as the first of five goals on the day. It was an even half for the offenses, with the Cardinals holding a slight 5-4 lead in shots on goal, and after the first 15 minutes of play the score sat tied at 1-1.
 

The Cavaliers came out hot in the second quarter, netting two goals in the span of five minutes to take a 3-1 lead. On the ensuing face-off, Mason Malec would get a key face-off win and Dylan Lavern would go streaking down the field. He found the back of the net and got the Cardinals to within one at 3-2 with his first goal of the day. After Walsh got back on the board with their fourth goal of the day, the Cardinals gave the ball to Chase who took it himself to the back of the net and made it a one-point game again at 4-3. As the quarter came down to its final four minutes, the Cardinals were looking for their chance to even the score. With 4:09 left on the first half clock, Wheeling would complete a successful clear attempt and Chase sent a shot that was blocked by the defense.
 

Dakota Strong was there for the rebound and was able to dish it off to Lavern for his second goal of the day as the Cardinals tied the game at 4-4. That would remain the score heading into the halftime break with Wheeling carrying the momentum into the second half. The Wheeling momentum continues as Chase was at it again, scoring his fourth goal of the day to make it a 5-4 Cardinal lead. Three minutes later, Chase would keep the run going, taking a pass from Jack Rowe and hitting the back of the net for the fourth time on the day. It was the Rowe-Chase hook up that kept the run going at the 9:25 with Chase scoring his fifth goal of the day. Wheelings run would come to an end at 7-0, with Rowe accounting for the final two goals on the run, one assisted by Ty Taylor and the other unassisted.
 

Walsh would continue to battle, getting back to within three goals of the Cardinals with the final two goals of the quarter. Wheeling held a 9-6 advantage heading into the fourth quarter and would have to survive one more Cavalier push. As the final quarter began, Walsh pushef their run to three straight goals to make it 9-7 and the Cardinals were looking to stop the run. Malec would win the ensuing face off, and the Cardinals were set up once again on offense. The ball nearly got away from the Cardinals, but Rowe was there to pick up the ground ball, went behind the net, and pushed the shot over the goalkeeper's head. It gave Wheeling and insurance goal, making it a 10-7 game and the defense would do the rest. Goalkeeper Austin Hall would have to make four saves in the final 15 minutes, conceding one goal, as the Cardinals secured the 10-8 victory.
 

As the final buzzer sounded, the Cardinals rushed the field in celebration after avenging last year's playoff loss. Leading the charge for the Cardinals was Brenner Chase, who finished with five goals and five Points on the day. He was an efficient shooter throughout the day, putting six of his eight shots on net while adding two ground balls on the day. The other Cardinal to finish with five points was Jack Rowe, who picked up three goals while leading the team with two assists. Dylan Lavern would account for the other two Cardinal goals on the day, and Dakota Strong would add the other assist. It was another big day in net for Austin Hall, who finished with 17 saves on 25 shots faced for a .680 save percentage. Adam Zdanowicz and Owen Worley would round out the defensive effort with three caused turnovers each on the afternoon.
 

The Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team returns to action on Tuesday, March 18th, when they hit the road to face Seton Hill at 4 PM