DUBUQUE, Iowa - William Woods Men's Lacrosse (7-7, 6-2 Heart) traveled to the home of the Pride for their second-to-final regular season contest against fellow Heart member Clarke University (4-7, 3-5 Heart). After an impressive showing on both sides of the field, the Owls are continue their ideal conclusion to the year with a victory, 14-5.
It is easy to acknowledge the work of the attack in a win, and today's contest is no different, with the exception of quarter one. Senior
Ethan NewMyer, who had a heavy impact on the game, opened all scoring in a man up opportunity off the assist from
Jack Brackin at the 12:19 mark.
Collis Rhodes would nail score number two for the Woods just two minutes later, and that would be it for the opening period. After some struggle getting going, the Pride found the net with just 14 seconds on the clock, narrowing the margin to 2-1 in favor the WWU entering the second.
From this point on, the men in green were in full control.
Drew Stubblefield compiled a pair of saves to keep Clarke from tying the contest early in the quarter. The attack turned the ball quickly around to the other side of the field, and, in a flash, NewMyer had notched his second goal of the evening, again from Brackin. Then, a turnover caused by Rhodes gave the offense another opportunity, and
Joey Weingardt was not going to miss it. The freshman zipped a shot past the goalie off the pass from NewMyer, continuing to build the Owls' lead and momentum. Another Clarke turnover, this time caused by
Tyler Vansant, resulted in a third NewMyer goal and yet another hat trick in his final season.
Lyle Wiley and
Xavier Dockery would score another pair of goals, while the defense completely shut off any attack for the Pride, creating a 7-1 gap entering halftime.
Quarter three was much more competitive, resulting in two scores for each side. WWU was boosted by yet another NewMyer score, and the second goal for Rhodes in a man up scenario. The fourth period saw Rhodes earn a hat trick,
Drew Longmeyer extend his scoring streak to three games,
Niyi Odunoye score the second goal of his young career, Wiley tally number two, and NewMyer net his fifth, the highest total on the season for the attacker. When it was all said and done, 14 goals by the offense was more than enough to topple the Pride.
While NewMyer and the offense were lighting fireworks, the defense was grinding for one of their best performances of the season. A season-high 21 turnovers were caused the the Owls group, many of which directly resulted in scoring opportunities. Vansant and
Kyle Fischer each forced a staggering four turnovers, a single game high for the former.
Chris Hanson added three, Rhodes two, and eight other Owls caused one. Loose balls were no problem either, as the Owls scooped up 28, led by Vansant with five.
Drew Stubblefield earned himself another victory in goal, giving up five scores and saving 10 shots in 60 minutes of action.
William Woods currently sits at a three way tie for third place in the Heart of America standings, tied with Columbia College and St. Ambrose University. Having the win over the Fighting Bees, sole possession of third place will be up for grabs in the Owls' final regular season game against the CC Cougars at the North Campus Athletic Complex Wednesday, April 22nd at 7 p.m.
