BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Illinois Wesleyan men's lacrosse team bounced back from their first defeat of the season to best John Carroll University by a final score of 20-15 on Tuesday, March 6. Senior James Maibuecher led the team in scoring with six goals and two assists, but was closely followed by the play of sophomore Alex Doorenbos who tallied five goals and one assist.

With a win the Titans improved to 3-1 on the season while handing the Blue Streaks their first loss of the season at 2-1.

Illinois Wesleyan fast-paced offense led to a 62-36 advantage in total shots and a 34-21 advantage in shots on goal. IWU played stifling defense on John Carroll's clearance attempts, allowing the Blue Streaks to convert on 18-of-26 attempts. John Carroll didn't fare as well on clearance defense as the Titans converted on 15-of-17 opportunities. Junior J.C. Grabarek once again ruled the face-off, winning 30-of-39 face-off attempts for Illinois Wesleyan. Braden Kaib was 9-of-29 for John Carroll and Tim Donoghue was held to an 0-for-10 performance.

Also scoring for the Titans were junior Bailey Marth (3), junior Will Rossi (2), sophomore Patrick Murphy (2), sophomore Joe Hynes (1), and Grabarek (1). Senior Nick Winter was the team leader in assists with three, followed by Maibuecher, Marth, and Grabarek who each tallied two, and Doorenbos with one. Due in part to his 30 face-off victories, Grabarek came away with a team-high 19 ground balls.

Sophomore Benigno Houser was the winning goalkeeper, making six saves and allowing 15 goals.

John Carroll used a pair of goals from each of Skylar Blake and Ryan Crater in the first period to take a 5-3 lead over the Titans. This lead didn't last long however as the Titans went on a 6-1 scoring run in the second period to take a 9-6 lead. The Blue Streaks mounted a comeback to close out the second which saw the Titans lead dwindle to one goal.

IWU stepped on the gas in the third period, using three goals from Doorenbos to take a 16-10 lead into the final period. John Carroll scored the first two goals of the period to cut Illinois Wesleyan's lead to four, but the Titans continued to find opening in the Blue Streak defense. Illinois Wesleyan went on to score three-straight, giving the Titans an insurmountable 19-12 advantage with 11 minutes to play.

The Blue Streaks were led in scoring by Brendan Whitty who scored five goals and added one assist. Patrick O'Grady and Blake each notched a team-high two assists. Nick Pompelia led the team with seven ground balls and Connor Jones caused three turnovers. In goal, Jacob Betz made 14 saves and allowed 20 goals.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan is set to embark on an extensive road-trip that won't see them play a home match again until April 2. The Titans next match will take place at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 11 in Sewanee, Tenn. against Sewanee: The University of the South. Sewanee is currently 3-2 and most recently defeated Transylvania by a final score of 13-3 on Saturday, March 3.