DELAWARE, Ohio - A 12-0 halftime deficit was too much for the Trine University men’s lacrosse team to overcome as they fell 21-7 to Ohio Wesleyan. The Thunder drop to 1-2 on the season with the loss.
The Battling Bishops took a 7-0 lead after the opening quarter as they tallied two goals in the final 20 seconds of the period.
Wesleyan added five more in the second quarter, including one on a man-up opportunity, as they mounted a 12-0 halftime lead.
After tacking on three more goals, the Thunder were finally able to get on the board as freshman Eric Thompson (Cumberland, Maine/Greely) scored on a man-up opportunity. Trine would score again on a man-up chance as senior Andy Lauer (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) scored on an assist from junior Dalton Madsen (Westminster, Colo./Northglen).
Just a minute later, Thompson scored again with 4:45 left in the third as Trine trailed it 16-3. Ohio Wesleyan would score three more times in the third quarter, including a goal coming with just eight seconds left as they extended their lead.
Trine would score four goals in the final quarter, including two by Madsen and Thompson, but the Thunder were unable to overcome the Battling Bishops lead. Madsen and Thompson both scored with under a minute left, as Thompson netted his fourth goal of the game with one second remaining.
Thompson led the Thunder offense with four goals while Madsen added in two goals and two assists. Lauer had the only other goal for Trine on the afternoon. Sophomore Rob Brzezinski (Livonia, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) led the Thunder with three groundballs.
In goal for the Trine, senior Alex Gregg (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville) played the first half making 12 saves. Sophomore Matt Lamb (Akron, Ohio/Revere) played the second half while stopping three shots.
Ohio Wesleyan held a 56-to-17 shot advantage and a 39-to-16 groundball advantage. The Thunder were 14-for-27 in clearing opportunities compared to 19-for-20 for the Battling Bishops. Both sides were perfect on extra-man opportunities as Trine went 2-for-2 while Ohio Wesleyan was 1-for-1. Wesleyan also held a 21-to-11 advantage in the faceoff circle.
Trine will look to get back on the winning track as they open their home season on March 18 at 1:00 p.m. when they host Augustana (IL).