ADRIAN, Mich.-- The Trine men's lacrosse team picked up its third-straight win in conference play with an 11-5 victory over Adrian in MIAA-action Wednesday evening at Docking Stadium.
A career high six-point night from Nick Maher (DeWitt, Mich. / DeWitt) paced the Thunder on the attack. Trine's leading scorer notched three goals and dished out a career-high three assists. The sophomore leads the Thunder with 24 goals and six helpers on the year. Trine controlled possession throughout, outshooting the Bulldogs by a 40-19 margin. The Thunder improved to 6-4 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA with the victory. Adrian fell to 0-12 overall, 0-4 in conference play.
One of the keys to establishing possession was Trine's dominance in the face-off circle. The Thunder won 15-of-18 draws on the night, highlighted by Jordan Lelito's (West Chicago, Ill. / West Chicago) 9-of-10 effort. Lelito has now won 60 percent of his face-off attempts this season. Lucas Radice (West Chicago, Ill. / West Chicago) also contributed to that total, winning 6-of-8 of his face-off attempts.
The Thunder also established dominance in collecting 40 ground balls to Adrian's 26. Jordan Lelito led the way with six ground balls, while Colin Lelito (West Chicago, Ill. / West Chicago) added five ground balls and caused a team-high four turnovers.
Trine sustained its strong defensive play of late. The Thunder entered tonight's contest allowing 6.56 goals per game, a mark which ranked 13th in the nation. Trine players were credited with nine caused turnovers.
Paul Carlquist (Downers Grove, Ill. / Downers Grove South) matched Maher's three goals to help pace the attack. The three goals matched the senior's season-high. Connor Putman (Ridgefield, Conn. / Ridgefield) picked up three assists in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Jake Ahearn (Naperville, Ill. / Naperville) also added a multi-point night with a goal and an assist.
Defender Colin O'Keefe (Gurnee, Ill. / Warren Township) also got into the scoring act, picking up his career-high third tally of the season. Mitch Leahey (Lake Orion, Mich. / Lake Orion), Eric Peal (Imperial, Mo. / Seckman) and Daniel Shine (Chicago, Ill. / Lane Tech Prep) each added goals for the Thunder.
Four unanswered goals in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach after the Bulldogs had pulled within 7-5 through three quarters. Maher scored from Putman in the opening minute of the fourth, before Leahey's goal off a pass from Maher restored a four-goal advantage. Carlquist and Peal tacked on insurance goals, with Ahearn picking up the assist on Peal's tally.
Travis Lores (Kildeer, Ill. / Lake Zurich) made five saves to earn the victory in net.
Jake Waldrup scored two goals and notched an assist to pace Adrian. Doug Boyd added a goal and an assist. Cody Schmitt caused four turnovers and notched a team-high six ground balls.
Trine hosts Albion this Saturday, Apr. 23 at 1 p.m. The Thunder will honor its senior class as they play the final regular-season home game of their careers. The Britons will enter Saturday's contest undefeated in conference play, with Trine a game back in the race for first place in the MIAA.