Wheeling, W. Va. - After a back and forth game on Saturday, the Wheeling Men's Lacrosse team (2-2, 1-1) gained their first Great-Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) game win of the season against Lake Erie College 8-7 in overtime. This was the first time the Cardinals have taken down the Storm since 2017, where they also won 8-7 in triple overtime. Wheeling will be riding out the high of Saturday's win when they host #9 Seton Hill University in their home opener Tuesday. 

Freshman Attacker Ayden Shepard led the Cardinals on the attacking end during Lake Erie with three goals and one assist. Shepard also gained his first three career goals. Jack Rowe led defensively by causing three turnovers and picking up three ground balls. Mason Malec and Landon Martin were big contributors on the day with Malec going 12-14 in faceoffs and picking up five ground balls, and with Martin only allowing seven goals and making 13 saves.

Rowe is currently leading the Cardinals overall offensively with seven goals, two assists, and nine points. He also gained his first three caused turnovers during Lake Erie and has picked up five ground balls overall. Malec and Riley Lincoln are currently leading defensively with Malec picking up 12 ground balls and going 21-33 in faceoffs, and Lincoln causing five turnovers. Martin is leading the goalkeepers with only allowing 14 goals in the last two games and making 24 saves.  

The Matchup

The Cardinals and Griffins will be meeting for the 22nd time. They met twice last season—during the regular season and then in the GMAC semifinals—and lost both games, 30-5 and 29-4. The last time Wheeling beat Seton Hill was in 2016 16-15 in overtime. The Griffins are currently ranked ninth in the NCAA Division II being 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the GMAC. Their only loss so far was against #1 Adelphi University 10-3, but took a win against #10 Lewis University. Within GMAC play, Seton Hill has played Lake Erie College (W, 14-3) and Thomas Moore University (W, 22-1). 

During their game against Thomas Moore, 14 players were able to obtain a goal, with five getting two goals and two getting a hat trick. Freshman Attacker Dexter Hannington was one of two to obtain a hat trick and is currently leading the Griffins offensively with 15 goals, one assist, and 16 points. Sophomore Midfielder Tucker Zostant and Junior Defender Austin Day are leading defensively with Zostant picking up 30 ground balls and going 42-69 in face offs, while Day has caused 12 turnovers and has picked up 14 ground balls. Senior Goalkeeper Will Cody has only allowed 35 goals over six games and has made 75 saves. 

The Details

The Cardinals and Griffins will face off on Bishop Schmitt Field at 2 PM Tuesday, March 17th. Live stats can be accessed HERE and the live stream can be viewed HERE.