(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's lacrosse looked to defend their #6 ranking when they hosted Siena Heights for a rivalry game on Wednesday afternoon. The Cardinals entered the game a perfect 7-0 while the Saints came into the game 2-2. The first half was closely contested, but Siena Heights pulled away in the second half to hand CUAA a 17-8 loss.
Devin Wolever and Evan Stuart tied for the team lead with 2 goals apiece. Brendan Pfeiffer led the team with 7 ground balls. Austin Ventimiglio had a team-high 4 caused turnovers.
Sam Bowling started in goal for the Cardinals, making 12 total saves. Evan Stuart gave the Cardinals an early 1-0 lead with a goal just over 2 minutes into the contest. Siena Heights tied the game at the 8:37 mark, but Hunter McCarty answered less than a minute later to put Concordia back on top. However, the Saints added two more goals to take a 3-2 lead after the 1st.
Devin Wolever tied the game to open scoring in the 2nd quarter. After Siena Heights scored to go back on top, Ryan Iles notched a marker to tie the game 4-4 at the 5:59 mark. The Saints added two more goals to reclaim the lead, but Evan Stuart countered with his second goal of the game in the last minute before halftime. CUAA trailed 6-5 heading to the locker room.
Siena Heights began to pull ahead with three unanswered goals to start the 3rd quarter. Blake Blaisdell ended the run with a goal off an assist from Devin Wolever. However, the Saints tacked on two more goals and took an 11-6 lead after the 3rd.
Siena Heights continued to extend their lead with a 5-0 run to open the 4th quarter and go up by double digits. The Cardinals ended the run when Noah Sorenson recorded a powerplay marker with an assist by Ryan Iles. Devin Wolever added his second tally of the game with Hunter McCarty assisting at the 2:49 mark. However, Siena Heights came away with the 17-8 victory as time expired.
Concordia will play their next game at Madonna on Wednesday, April 14 at 3:00pm.
