DELAWARE, Ohio -- The Illinois Wesleyan men's lacrosse team suffered their first defeat of the season on Thursday, March 1, falling to Ohio Wesleyan by a final score of 18-11. Senior Nick Winter led the team in scoring with three goals and two assists for a total of five points on the day.

With a loss the Titans fell to 2-1 on the season, while Ohio Wesleyan improved to 3-1 overall.

After setting a school-record for shots with 105 against Wittenberg, the Titans were able to fire away just 39 shots against a stiff Bishops defense. Of the 39 total shots, 26 fell on goal and 15 were saved. Illinois Wesleyan had a tough time clearing the ball converting on 17-of-25 clearance opportunities. On the face-off, Illinois Wesleyan won 18-of-31 chances, good for .580 percent. Junior J.C. Grabarek entered the contest winning .865 percent of his face-off opportunities, but was held to a .629 percent performance on Tuesday. The Titans committed 23 turnovers on the afternoon with 15 of them coming in the second half of action.

In addition to the three goals from Winter, junior Will Rossi, sophomore Alex Doorenbos, and freshman Tanner Nelson each scored twice for IWU. Senior James Maibuecher and junior Bailey Marth each added one goal. Rossi and Maibuecher also added assists to their final tally. Grabarek's nine ground balls led the team followed by three apiece from sophomore Christian Torres, Winter, and Rossi. Rossi, Torres, and junior Zack Ladd all caused a lone turnover.

Sophomore Benigno Houser was handed the loss in goal, making a season-high 13 saves and allowing 18 goals.

A pair of goals from Doorenbos got the Titans off to a hot start, taking a 4-1 lead over the Battling Bishops with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter. After Ohio Wesleyan battled back to 4-3, Nelson scored a man-up goal off an assist from Winter to give IWU a 5-3 lead in the second.

Following Nelson's goal, Ohio Wesleyan went on a 3-0 run that spanned eight minutes of game time to gain a narrow 7-6 edge over the Titans with just over three minutes to play in the first half. IWU regained and sent home two shots in the final 2:30 of the half to take an 8-7 lead and the momentum into halftime.

A game-tying goal from Ohio Wesleyan's Steven Hildebrand at the 10:31 mark of the third quarter sparked a 9-0 run for the Battling Bishops that lasted until the final minute of regulation. After taking 28 shots in the first half, Illinois Wesleyan was held to 11 total shots in the second with six falling on goal.

Hildebrand and Josh Jeschke each scored four goals for Ohio Wesleyan while Jack Worrell led the team in ground balls (4), and caused turnovers (2). Ben Rigger was the winner in goal making 15 saves and allowing 11 goals.

What's Next?
The Titans are back at home on Tuesday, March 6 for a 7 p.m. tilt against John Carroll University from the turf of Tucci Stadium. John Carroll is currently 1-0 on the season, but will face The College of Wooster on Saturday, March 3 prior to facing-off against Illinois Wesleyan.