Wheeling, W. Va. - After a strong first three quarters, the Wheeling Men's Lacrosse team (3-4, 2-3) battled Northwood in a face-paced, high-scoring game. It came down to the final 15 minutes, but the Cardinals fell 20-13 to the Timberwolves in their fifth Great-Midwest Athletic Conference game of the season.
Northwood got things started on the day by winning the first faceoff and immediately getting the first goal. They were able to win the next face off, but with a save from Landen Martin, the Cardinals were able to get the ball down to their attacking end for a goal by Ben Tornatore from Andrew Turner. Mason Malec won the next faceoff for the Cardinals, but they weren't able to get a good look until Martin had yet another save to result in a goal by Zach Bridenbaker from Ayden Shepard. Northwood got the next two goals, but with a turnover and ball pick up from Owen Worley, the ball was able to get in the back of the net by Jack Rowe from Joe Fresnedo Jr. Northwood came off hot from the next faceoff and scored in a fast-break. Malec was able to win the next faceoff, but it took about five minutes for another goal. Turner was able to take the last shot of the quarter and land it in the back of the net to make it 4-4.
With momentum high, Domenico Cataldo won the first faceoff of the second quarter with Worley picking it up and launching it to Turner for Wheeling's first fast-break goal of the game. Northwood ended up scoring three more times throughout the quarter, while Wheeling was only able to get the one. Martin and Chris Burlingame split time in the goal, and were able to get three saves off of six shots on goal between the two of them. Wheeling and Northwood went into half time 7-5 in favor of the Timberwolves.
Only down by two to start the second half, Cataldo would have a repeat of last quarter by winning the faceoff for Tornatore to pick it up, and get it to Bridenbaker for another fast-break goal. Cataldo went on to win the next two faceoffs, resulting in a goal for both Wheeling and Northwood. After Northwood's goal, the Timberwolves won the next faceoff, but the Cardinals were able to block one of their shots. Wheeling got the ball back to their end for another goal by Tornatore, this time coming from Zander Thomas, to tie it at eight with 10 minutes left in the quarter. Thomas and Tornatore got the next two goals for Wheeling, while Northwood was able to get two more as well. Rowe got the final Wheeling goal of the quarter, and Northwood was able to tie it at 11 to go into the fourth.
With the final 15 minutes left on the day, Northwood was able to score three goals back-to-back within the first minute and 20 seconds. After the third goal, Wheeling and Northwood went back and forth with possession. Rowe was able to get the ball to the back of the net, with help from Shepard, to start closing the gap. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Northwood controlled the rest of the quarter with six more goals. Shepard was able to get one final goal on the board, but Wheeling fell to the Timberwolves 20-13.
Tornatore and Rowe led the attacking end with four goals for four points from Tornatore and three goals and two assists for five points from Rowe. Worley led defensively with grabbing five ground balls and causing one turnover. Cataldo was the lead faceoff man on the day going 7-18 in faceoffs. Martin and Burlingame split time in the net making a combined 14 saves on 34 shots.
The Cardinals will be back on Bishop Schmitt Field Wednesday, April 1st at 7 PM.
