Wheeling, W. Va. - The last time the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team (2-1, 1-0) walked off in their 2025 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) opener against Davenport. The Cardinals are looking to build off that offensive success on Saturday as they continue their GMAC slate against Frostburg State, with tip-off at 3 PM. The Cardinals won their GMAC opener for the first time since joining the GMAC and are looking to keep the success going as they continue through the conference slate.
It was an instant classic between Davenport and Wheeling last week, with the Panthers jumping on the Cardinals for a pair of early goals. However, the Cardinals would answer with four straight and built a 4-2 lead halfway through the second quarter. They would keep that lead into halftime, but as the third quarter began, Davenport was able to overtake them at 6-5. Wheeling would tie the game in the final minute of that quarter, and the score would remain there until the final seconds of the game. With four seconds left, the Cardinals would force a caused turnover, and heaved a Hail Mary downfield. It found a Cardinal stick and got to the back of the net as the Cardinals were able to hold on for the 7-6 win to start 1-0 in conference play.
The man who made the play happen was the reigning GMAC Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week Gabriel Hennin. Henning was the one who caused the turnover with four seconds remaining and picked up the groundball behind the net. Hennin would look for his options, and heave a pass deep downfield in hopes of finding a stick and getting the win. He would connect with teammate Jack Rowe, who found the back of the net an gave Wheeling the win. Along with his assist, Hennin was the leader of the Cardinal's defense, finishing with three caused turnovers and four groundballs on the day. Under Hennin's leadership, the Cardinal defense caused 12 turnovers on the day, and played a big role in their winning effort against the Panthers.
The goal scorer on the final play for the Cardinals was Jack Rowe, who knocked his second goal of the season into the back of the net. It was the second straight multi-goal effort for the junior who has scored in every game for the Cardinals this season. He is currently tied for the team lead with six goals, while leading the offense with both four assists and 10 points on the season. The other leader on the defensive end for the Cardinals was Austin Hall, who put together his best day in a Cardinal uniform. The senior would finish with 17 saves on 23 shots faced for a .739 save percentage on the afternoon. He is sitting at .624 on the season and has made 53 saves to sit second in the conference behind Davis & Elkins's Avery Linthicum.
After playing a pair of non-conference games to start the season, the Cardinals will attack GMAC play for the rest of the season. Their only non-conference game left on the schedule is Lincoln Memorial on April 12th, as the Cardinals go through the gauntlet with seven straight conference games to close out March and kick-off April. The Cardinals were picked #5 in the annual GMAC preseason poll and are looking to get one of the top six spots to qualify for the GMAC Tournament for the second year in a row. With a veteran team that helped them make the tournament a season ago, the Cardinals will once again rely on their experience in 2025 as they look to keep the early season momentum alive.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Bobcats are meeting for the fourth time in program history, with Frostburg State leading the matchup at 3-0. It will be the second time that the Cardinals have welcomed the Bobcats to Bishop Schmitt Field, and the first home game between the two since the 2023 season. The Cardinals are averaging seven goals per game against the Bobcats, but have allowed 18 or more goals in ever previous game against Frostburg State.
Their last meeting came on February 24th, 2024 in a game that Frostburg State would win 29-9. Three different Cardinals would end with two goals, with former Cardinal Mike Andersson, former Cardinal Brody Fawver, and Brenner Chase all ending with two goals. Andersson would add two assists and a team-high four points, while Austin Hall led the defense with 12 saves in the effort.
The Details
Opening Face-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 3 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
