Angola, Ind. – The Trine's men's lacrosse team put the sting on Kalamazoo 14-5 in a MIAA conference game Tuesday night at Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium.
Nick Maher (DeWitt, Mich. / DeWitt) paced the attack for the Thunder by putting on a scoring clinic with his career high five-goal game. Paul Carlquist (Downers Grove, Ill. / Downers Grove South) contributed to the offensive attack with his three goals and two assists. Trine improved to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play. Kalamazoo fell to 4-4 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play.
Chris Ward (Oak Lawn, Ill. / St. Rita) reached 101 points in his career with two goals on the night. Travis Lores (Kildeer, Ill./Lake Zurich) made eight saves in 50:47 of action to earn the victory in net.
Jordan Backer (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) led the way for Trine's defense with his four caused turnovers. Trine out shot Kalamazoo by a margin of 39 to 20.
Kalamazoo drew first blood a minute into the first quarter with a goal coming from Brett Fitzgerald. The Thunder tied the game back up at the 10:39 mark, when Maher scored Trine's first goal. Trine ended the first period with a 6-1 lead over Kalamazoo, with goals coming from Carlquist, Eric Peal (Imperial, Mo. / Seckman), Kevan Barissi (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Central), and Maher. Peal's goal was his first of his career.
Neil Orr (Lombard, Ill. / Montini Catholic) added to the Thunder's lead six minutes into the second quarter making the score 7-1. Maher scored his fourth goal of the game with 3:38 left in the second quarter. Trine went into halftime with an 8-1 lead over Kalamazoo.
Three minutes into the third quarter Ward notched the 100th point of his career with an unassisted goal. The Hornets tried knocking on the comeback door with two goals coming from Zach Morales and one from Brett Fitzgerald. Maher quickly shut it down with his fifth goal of the game and gave Trine back a comfortable six-point lead, 10-4.
In the fourth quarter, Ward, Carlquist, and Orr added insurance goals to its already comfortable lead making the final score 13-4.
The Thunder return to action Saturday, April 16 where they will host Calvin College. Faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Article contributed by Cody Konieczki, Trine University, Communications '17
