Wheeling, W. Va. – The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) Men’s Lacrosse regular season is coming down to its final week and there are still spots available in the GMAC Tournament. The Wheeling University Men’s Lacrosse team (5-9, 3-3) looks to claim one of those spots as they host #4 Mercyhurst in their final home game of the regular season. It will also serve as the team’s senior day as they honor defenseman Batson Sheets in what will be his final regular season home game.
Last time out, the Cardinals went on the road to Phillipi, West Virginia as they wrapped up the West Virginia series against Alderson Broaddus. It was another big offensive day for the Cardinals as they scored 20 goals for the second time this season in a 20-2 win. The Cardinals had their first two shutout quarters of the season, not allowing the Battlers on the board in either the first or fourth quarters. They scored six goals in that first quarter, and it would be more than enough as the Cardinals beat their win total from last season with their fifth win of the year.
After breaking the single-game goal record last time out, Mike Andersson further distanced himself from the pack. He scored a team-high seven goals in the game marking the third time this season that Andersson has scored seven or more goals in a game. He now has 53 goals this season and leads the GMAC in goals scored. If the Cardinals make the GMAC tournament, Andersson will play a key part in his team’s success.
Another Cardinal who wrote his name in the Men’s Lacrosse history books was shortstop Ty Taylor, who broke the single-season points record. He finished with four goals and one assist, for five points, against Alderson Broaddus, bringing his season total to 63. The previous record was 59 points, held by former Cardinal Derek Downs. The other multi-goal scorer for the Cardinals was freshman Jack Rowe, who registered his third multi-goal game of the year. Rowe has been a reliable bench option for Head Coach Gage Bradshaw and his team and looks to continue that success.
The Cardinals currently sit on the outside looking in in terms of the GMAC playoffs, but a win and some help would clinch them their first spot since 2018. In order to do that the Cardinals would need to beat Mercyhurst on Saturday and have Walsh lose to Alderson Broaddus in order to clinch the #4 seed in the tournament. Last season, the Cardinals were alive in the playoff race in the final week of the regular season and look to do their part in helping them complete the journey.
The Matchups
The Cardinals and Lakers are meeting for the 21st time in program history, with Mercyhurst winning each of the first 20 games. It will be the ninth meeting between the two teams at Bishop Schmitt Field, with the Cardinals going 0-8 in those previous meetings. The Cardinals are averaging 5.6 goals per game in the all-time series and look to keep their offense going in this one.
Last season, the Cardinals would go on the road and fall to Mercyhurst 20-8 to close out their season. Wheeling was led by Mike Andersson, who scored three goals in the game, while former Cardinal Mat Anderson added two goals in the effort. Joshua Wolford got the start in net for the Cardinals and made 10 saves on 30 shots faced on the afternoon.
The Details
The opening faceoff for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 2 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field with the senior day ceremony beginning around 1:45 PM. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
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