Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling Men's Lacrosse team (3-2, 2-1) advanced their win streak to three after beating Thomas More University 13-9 Saturday evening in their home opener. They will host #5 Seton Hill in another Great-Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup after having to push it back six days from Tuesday, March 17th due to inclement weather. 

Seven Cardinals were able to add to their goal totals Saturday, with Jack Rowe and Josh Wesneski both obtaining four. Despite Thomas More getting the first goal of the game, Wheeling was able to answer back quickly and maintain the lead for the rest of the game. They started off hot with six goals in the first quarter—five in three minutes—by four different Cardinals. During the second and third quarter, Wheeling and Thomas More were even with goal scoring, two and three respectively. The Saints out shot the cardinals by one in the final quarter, but with their big buffer in the first, the Cards were still able to come out on top.

Rowe and Wesneski led the offense with a season high for single game points/goals with Rowe scoring four goals and two assists for six points; this being his second game with four goals. Wesneski scored four goals for four points, which is also a career high for him at Wheeling. Riley Lincoln had a career high in single game ground balls with eight, while Gage Kimmel had a season high for single caused turnovers. Additionally, goalkeeper Landen Martin had a career high for single game saves with 14.

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 G-MAC semifinals—and lost both games, 30-5 and 29-4. The last time Wheeling beat Seton Hill was in 2016 by a score of 16-15 in overtime. The Griffins are currently ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II and are 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the G-MAC. Their two losses so far were against #1 Adelphi University 10-3 and #11 Pace University 12-10, but took an 11-7 win against #10 Lewis University in their season opener. Within G-MAC play, Seton Hill has played Lake Erie College (14-3) and Thomas Moore University (22-1). 

During their last game, they took their second loss of the season against #11 Pace University. Eight Griffins were able to find the back of the net, with two having two. Senior Midfielder Gavin Erickson and Freshman Attacker Dexter Hannigan lead Seton Hill's attacking end with both having two goals and one assist for a total of three points. Sophomore Midfielder Tucker Zostant led defensively with six ground balls and went 19-26 in faceoffs. Senior Goalkeeper Will Cody allowed 12 goals and made 14 saves on 26 shots. 

The Details

The Cardinals and Griffins will face off on Bishop Schmitt Field at 3 PM Monday, March 23rd. Live stats can be accessed HERE and the live stream can be viewed HERE.