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 Thomas More University in their home opener Saturday. 

Freshman Attacker Ayden Shepard led the Cardinals offensively 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 Landen 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 of the season 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 Saints will be meeting for the third time this season. Wheeling has been able to pick up a win from each meeting, beating them 20-3 in 2024 and 17-8 in 2025. This is Thomas More's fourth season, and third as an NCAA Division II school and competitor in the GMAC. They have gained three wins so far this season—one more than last season—with two of them beginning against NCAA Division II schools and one being NAIA. 

Their last game was against Mount Vernon Nazarene (OH) (NAIA) where they outscored the Cougars 20-15 to gain their third win. Nine Saints were able to find the back of the net with Senior Attacker Joe Mariani leading the Saints in goals with nine, and Senior Attacker Spencer Lethbridge leading them in points with eight (four goals and four assists). Junior Face-Off Specialist Stephen Schodowski helped defensively with picking up nine ground balls and going 10-27 in faceoffs. Sophomore Goalkeeper Baker Ebner played all 60 minutes, allowing 15 goals and made 12 saves.

The Details

The Cardinals and Saints will face off on Bishop Schmitt Field at 4 PM Saturday, March 21st. Live stats can be accessed HERE and the live stream can be viewed HERE.