Wheeling, W. Va. - After three weeks of no competition, the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team (0-1, 0-0) hits the road to take on Davenport University for their second game of the season, and for their first Great-Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) game of the season. The Cardinals are looking to pick up their first win of the season against Davenport, after falling 15-8 against Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).
Last Game
The Cardinals did not start their season off the way they were hoping, with their first game against Tusculum University being canceled due to inclement weather, and then falling short on the road at LMU. Six Cardinals were able to sneak the ball in and find the back of the net against the Railsplitters.
Zach Bridenbaker and Finn Wotton were the only two that had multiple goals in the game. Bridenbaker netted his first goal of the season, and game, in the second quarter to answer back after an LMU goal. It wasn't until the fourth quarter when Bridenbaker got his second goal of the game with only six seconds left. Bridenbaker ended the day with both his shots being on goal, and one ground ball.
Finn Wotton got his two goals of the game, and season, in the fourth quarter. His first goal was when Wheeling was man up, about halfway through the quarter. His second goal was scored with only 82 seconds left of the game. Wotton ended the day with four shots and all of them being on goal, and one caused turnover.
The Matchup
Wheeling and Davenport will be meeting for the sixth time on Saturday, after beating them for the first time in program history last season; once in the regular season and the another in the GMAC playoffs. The Cardinals were able to squeak out their first win against Davenport last year during regular season with a buzzer beater play from former player Gabe Hennin and current player Jack Rowe. With nine seconds left in the game, Wheeling and Davenport were tied 6-6 until Hennin intercepted the ball on defense and then launched the ball 70 yards down the field. Rowe was able to snag the ball and sneak it in behind the Panther's keeper just as the final horn went off for Wheeling to win their first game against Davenport 7-6. Their second meeting was in the GMAC Championship during the quarterfinal game, when Wheeling beat Davenport 12-9 for the second time in program history, and in the season, to advance to the semifinals.
Davenport will be heading into their fourth game of the season, first GMAC game, with a win and two loses. In their first three games, Davenport has played two ranked teams: #3 Maryville and #11 Lewis. Davenport fell to both teams, but were able to get three goals against Maryville and six against Lewis.
Senior attacker Jayden Ashley was Davenport's top scorer against Lewis with two goals, one assist, and eight shots with five of them being on goal. Junior defender Tyler Burd led Davenport in ground balls during their game against Lewis with six, and was one of two to have a caused turnover. Senior midfielder Logan Flaherty took the vast majority of Davenport's draws against Lewis going 10-20 in the circle and having five ground balls.
The Details
The Cardinals will be on the road to Davenport University, in Grand Rapids, MI, on Saturday, February 28th with the first faceoff at 1 PM. The game will be streamed on FloCollege through Davenport's athletic page HERE.
