Wheeling, W. Va. - Ever since the start of their Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) schedule, the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team has hit their stride, going 2-2 over their first four games. They were riding a three-game win streak heading into Monday's match-up with #5 Seton Hill, thanks to a strong effort in net from sophomore Landen Martin. The Cardinal goalkeeper was rewarded for his efforts on Monday afternoon when the GMAC released their weekly Player of the Week awards, with Martin being named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week.
Martin would make his third straight start in net against Thomas More on Saturday, and put together a career-best performance. The sophomore would finish with 14 saves on 23 shots faced, putting together a .608 save percentage in net. After allowing a goal in the opening minute and a half, Martin locked in, not allowing the Saints back on the board until the 7:38 mark of the second quarter. He would end up making a game high six saves in the first quarter, and made nine of his 14 saves over the first 30 minutes of the game. He would face double digit shots in each of the four quarters of play, and was able to hold Thomas More to nine goals in the effort. His work early in the game was enough to allow the Cardinals to build a lead strong enough to hold off a comeback effort from the Saints and get their second GMAC win of the season.
It was the continuation of a strong stretch of games for Martin, who led the team on a three-game win streak to start the month of March. He made his first start of the season against Holy Family on March 7th and he led the Cardinals on a three-game win streak leading to Monday's Seton Hill match-up. Martin finished 38 saves during that stretch on 61 shots faced as he put together a .623 save percentage. He would set a new career-high in saves in each of those three games, setting the career-best mark against Thomas More on Saturday. He has brought some stability to the defensive side of the ball, and looks to continue leading the Cardinals as they fight to get back to the GMAC semifinals, and earn a chance to compete for a conference championship.
With Martin winning the GMAC Defensive Player of the Week honors, the Wheeling Athletics department has now had 40 student-athletes earn Conference Player of the Week honors. It is the first GMAC Player of the Week award for the Men's Lacrosse team since March 17th, 2025, when former Cardinal Brenner Chase earned the conference's Offensive Player of the Week. Martin is the third Cardinal to be honored this week, with Baseball Players Gavin Millians and Sebastian Khan sweeping the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Baseball Player of the Week honors.
The Wheeling Men's Lacrosse team returns to action on Thursday, March 26th, when they host Northwood with opening face-off at noon.
