UPLAND, Ind. -- The Trine University men's lacrosse team fell behind early but roared back in the second quarter to defeat their hosts from Taylor (Ind.) University by the score of 16-8.
The Thunder got off to a slow start with the Trojans building a 4-1 lead at the halfway point of the first quarter. The lone goal in that stretch for Trine was by junior Noah Markus (Woodbury, Minn. / East Ridge) with nine minutes remaining.
Over the last four minutes of the period the team began to cut into the deficit going on a 3-1 run making the score 5-4 at the first break. Juniors Josh Ward (Oakland, Ill. / St. Rita) and Andrew Douglas (Liberty Twp., Ohio / Lakota East) along with senior Matt Zanichelli (Rolling Meadows, Ill. / William Fremd) each scored a goal during the stretch with Douglas also adding an assist.
The second quarter went all for the Thunder as they scored four goals while allowing just one. Freshmen Charlie Anderson (Howell, Mich. / Hartland) and Blaine McNabb (Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville) scored the first two goals with Markus accounting for the second pair. The team would take the 8-6 lead into the intermission.
Trine kept their foot on the pedal in the second half outscoring the opposition 5-2 in the third and 3-0 in the final frame. Zanichelli led the way in the third scoring a pair of goals. Markus, Douglas and freshman Patrick Doyle (Fishers, Ind. / Cathedral) each also scored a goal as well.
Then in the fourth the scoring would go to Doyle was joined by sophomores Collin Custer (Spanaway, Wash. / Bethel) and Klein Burkholder (Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) each scoring a goal.
Markus led the way offensively in the contest finishing the game with four goals and one assist. Zanichelli came in with three goals and Douglas finished with two goals along with a team-high three assists.
Senior Dave Keptner (Midland, Mich. / H.H. Dow) led the way defensively finishing with three caused turnovers and nine groundballs, both team-highs. Junior Jack Konicek (Geneva, Ill. / Geneva) came in second with seven ground balls while also dominating the faceoff circle going 23 for 26.
Trine improves to 3-0 following the victory. Their contest against DePauw University originally scheduled for Saturday, March 12 has been postponed, so the team will next compete in their home opener on Wednesday, March 16. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m.