Wheeling, W. Va. - It was a special senior day at Bishop Schmitt Field on Saturday as the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team (5-6, 4-3) welcomed in Lincoln Memorial for their final non-conference game of the season. It was a back and forth game early, but a late push from the Splitters was enough to down the Cardinals 10-8. The Cardinals shutout Lincoln Memorial over the final 15 minutes of play, scoring three goals of their own, but fell two goals shy of victory.
Coming out of the half, The Cardinals were trailing by a goal and looking to keep things close. However, it would be Lincoln Memorial that stepped up, controlling the third quarter. The Cardinals were held off the board over the 15 minute stretch, while the Splitters needed just four minutes to get on the board. They would score back-to-back goals to start the quarter, making it an 8-5 game and with five minutes to go they had extended their advantage to 9-5. The Cardinals had their chances throughout the quarter, taking three shots during the 15 minutes of play, but couldn't find the back of the net. As the third quarter came to an end, the Cardinals would find themselves trailing 10-5 and were looking to battle their way back over the final 15 minutes of play.
Lincoln Memorial looked for a quick score to start the quarter, but a save from Austin Hall would turn the tide. It was the first of five saves for the senior as he kept the Splitters off the board in the fourth quarter. It allowed the Wheeling offense to battle back, and at the 9:37 mark Jack Rowe would break the scoring draught. He took a pass from Brenner Chase and found the back of the net to make it a 10-6 game. That score remained 10-6 heading into the final five minutes of the game, before Chase got them back in the board. Chase completed a successful clear and scored unassisted to get the Cardinals to within three at 10-7. The final Cardinal goal would come at the 2:13 mark with Dakora Strong scoring on a pass from Dylan Lavern to make it 10-8.
Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Cardinals got as they fell 10-8. Four different Cardinals would score two goals on the day, with Brenner Chase leading the way with three points in the day, finishing with two goals and one assist. Dakota Strong, Owen Worley, and Jack Rowe would also add two goals on the day, with Worley adding the first two goals of his career. Dylan Lavern would add the final Cardinal Point with an assist to round out the offense. The defense would cause 18 turnovers on the day led by Gabriel Hennin with five cause turnovers. Worley headed to his offensive success with three caused turnovers while Adam Zdanowicz finished with two. Austin Hall would lead the effort in net making 17 saves on 27 shots face.
After Wheeling off the first shot of the game, Lincoln Memorial would control the time of possession. That was the only shot they allowed over the first 5 minutes of play as they took a 2-0 lead. The Splitter's defense held strong throughout the quarter not allowing Wheeling on the board until the 2:01 mark. It would be Jack Rowe who sparked the team taking advantage of a turnover and taking the ball to net to make a 2-1 game. Less than a minute later it was another Lincoln Memorial turnover that tied the game. Defender Owen Worley hit the ball up and watched it 40 yards into the back of the net. It was the first goal of his career and tied things at 2-2 with 1:28 to go. The Splitters would add one more goal in the final seconds and held a 3-2 lead after one.
As the second quarter began, the splitters once again got things going with two goals over the first two minutes. Help them build a 5-2 lead before Wheeling battled back once again. With 13:08 to play before the half Mason Malec would win the face off and the Cardinals set up shop. Dakota Strong came out from behind the net and shot and unassisted goal to make it 5-3. It would become a one goal game less than a minute later as a Lincoln Memorial turnover turned into a successful Wheeling clear. It would be Chase but go to the night, scoring his second goal today to make it a 5-4 game. The final Cardinal goal of the half would come from Worley, who took the ball to midfield and fired into the net for his second goal of the day. Lincoln Memorial would get on the board one more time before the break and headed into the locker room with the 6-5 lead. Despite the Cardinal comeback effort it was not enough as they fell in their final non-conference game.
The Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team returns to action on Wednesday , April 16th, when they travel to Malone at 5 PM.
