ANGOLA, Ind.-- The Trine men's lacrosse team concluded the season statistically ranked among the nation's best defensive units.
The Thunder finished the season ranked as the ninth-best scoring defense in the nation, allowing a stingy 6.64 goals per game. The mark was a program record. Trine's defensive marked ranked at an elite level compared to rest of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, as the Thunder allowed two fewer goals per contest than any other team in the conference. Trine also led the league in conference play by more than a goal-and-a-half per contest.
Backing the defensive corps in net was All-MIAA First Team performer Travis Lores (Kildeer, Ill. / Lake Zurich). The sophomore finished the season with a 6.61 goals-against average, a mark that ranked sixth in the nation. Lores also ranked second in the MIAA with a .569 save percentage. Lores' save percentage ranked 40th among 209 goalkeepers in the national statistics rankings.
Austin Helm (Westfield, Ind. / Westfield) also contributed to the team's efforts in goal. The senior was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in a game at Baldwin Wallace.
A strong defensive corps anchored the team's defensive efforts. All-MIAA First Team performer Jordan Backer (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) became the first player in program history to earn All-MIAA honors all four years of his career. He caused a team-high 25 turnovers.
Defenders Colin Lelito (West Chicago, Ill. / West Chicago) and Colin O'Keefe (Gurnee, Ill. / Warren Township) each earned All-MIAA Second Team honors. O'Keefe was a second-time honoree who also earned a MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honor during the season. Lelito finished second on the team in both caused turnovers and ground balls.
Trine excelled in man-down situations this season thanks to its defenders. The Thunder ranked 14th in the nation in man-down defense, holding opponents scoreless in 81.8 percent of their man-up opportunities. Those efforts helped produce extra scoring opportunities as the Thunder tied for the conference lead in man-down goals.
Trine held its opponents to five or fewer goals seven times on the season. The Thunder went undefeated in those contests.
Trine concluded its season 8-5 overall. The Thunder finished 5-2 in MIAA play, notching its most wins in conference play since the league's inaugural season in 2013. The conference performance resulted in Trine placing third in the MIAA.
