Ohio Wesleyan Tops Denison in Thrilling Lacrosse Match
In a recent NCAC showdown, the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops edged out Denison University with a score of 12-9. The game took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter, where Ohio Wesleyan scored six unanswered goals, showcasing their grit and determination.
Denison started strong with Michael Cassidy netting the first goal just two minutes in, thanks to an assist from Jack Moellering. Brady Monturio answered back for Ohio Wesleyan, scoring a hat trick in the first quarter to put the Big Red ahead 4-1. However, Denison maintained a three-goal lead as they closed out the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Denison kept the pressure on. Teddy Hardy’s goal pushed them to 5-1, but Ohio Wesleyan responded fiercely, scoring four straight goals to tie the game at 5-5 by halftime. Denison had a busy first half, launching 23 shots with 10 on target. Goalkeeper Andrew Albert was busy as well, making 11 saves.
The third quarter saw a back-and-forth battle. Moellering struck again to regain the lead for Denison, but Ohio Wesleyan made it 6-6 soon after. The Big Red then scored three goals late in the quarter, ending with a 9-6 lead.
In the final quarter, everything changed. Ohio Wesleyan caught fire, scoring six consecutive goals. Denison’s offense struggled, mustering only three shots on goal compared to Ohio Wesleyan’s ten.
Key Highlights:
- Denison had six different goal scorers, with Cassidy and Monturio leading the charge.
- AJ Boxler stood out with five ground balls, part of Denison’s total of 31.
- Denison fired off 40 shots, with 22 hitting the target while going 17-19 on clears.
- Goalkeeper Andrew Albert had a stellar performance, saving 20 shots and boasting a save percentage of 62.5%.
Next, Denison will face John Carroll University on March 28 in Granville. This match promises to be another exciting chapter in their season.
Recent trends in collegiate lacrosse show that close games like these are becoming the norm. According to a survey by the NCAA, nearly 60% of college lacrosse games this season have had a margin of three goals or fewer, showcasing the competitive nature of the sport.
For those interested in more stats, you can check out the NCAA’s official statistics page here. It’s clear that this season is heating up, and every game counts.
