(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's lacrosse hosted Mount Vernon Nazarene for their home opener on Monday afternoon. The Cardinals entered a perfect 3-0 on the year while the Cougars came in 3-4. CUAA overcome a close first half and used an offensive onslaught in the second half to secure a 24-3 win. The Cardinals outshot the Cougars 61-20 overall while not allowing a single goal after halftime.
Hunter McCarty led Concordia with 7 goals and 5 assists. Devin Wolever also had a team-high 7 goals. Blake Blaisdell recorded a hat trick along with 3 assists. Sam Saje led the team with 9 ground balls. Austin Ventimiglio had a team-high 4 caused turnovers.
Sam Bowling started in net for the Cardinals, making 6 saves. Concordia attacked the net early with Evan Stuart and Ryan Iles looking to jam in a rebound. Iles eventually scored the game's first goal and then drew an assist on a marker from Hunter McCarty for a 2-0 CUAA lead. After the Cougars broke the shutout, Devin Wolever scored off an assist by Hunter McCarty. McCarty added his second goal with 12 seconds remaining, running in from behind the net and stuffing the ball in. CUAA led 4-1 after the 1st.
The Cardinals killed off an early penalty in the 2nd, but Mount Vernon Nazarene added 2 more goals to trim the lead to 4-3. Concordia countered when Hunter McCarty completed his hat trick at the 8:15 mark. The Cardinals extended their lead with 24 seconds left when Blake Blaisdell scored off a feed from McCarty. CUAA led 6-3 at halftime.
Hunter McCarty scored his 4th goal to begin the 3rd quarter, the first of 9 Concordia goals in the frame. Blake Blaisdell added a marker and Devin Wolever finished his hat trick with back-to-back goals. Noah Sorenson rifled a shot in from the right side of the net and both Wolever and Hunter McCarty continued to find the back of the net. Joseph Loria came in to play goalkeeper late in the quarter, making 4 saves in the remainder of the contest. Ben Jones scored in the final minute to make it a 15-3 CUAA lead.
Devin Wolever scored his 6th goal of the game on the powerplay to start out the 4th quarter. Hunter McCarty notched his 6th marker of the contest as well and Blake Blaisdell completed his hat trick. The Cardinals continued the onslaught as Devin Wolever and Hunter McCarty each scored their 7th goal of the game.
Ben Jones and Noah Sorenson each found the back of the net for the 2nd time in the contest. Evan Stuart recorded a goal and Ryan Iles rounded out the scoring in the game with his 2nd goal. Concordia shut out the Cougars for the entire second half and claimed the 24-3 win as time expired.
Concordia will remain at home on Sunday, March 28 when they host UM-Dearborn at 3pm.
