GRANVILLE, Ohio -- The Illinois Wesleyan men's lacrosse team was defeated by No. 10-ranked Denison University on Wednesday, May 9 by a final score of 25-9 in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Division III men's lacrosse tournament. Illinois Wesleyan was automatically seeded into the second round of the tournament, avoiding an appearance in one of four first round match-ups.
 
This is the second straight season in which the Titans have been eliminated by the Big Red in the NCAA tournament, falling to Denison by a final score of 25-11 in 2017.
 
IWU's season concludes with a 16-4 record while Denison improved to 16-3. Denison will play No. 11-ranked Ohio Wesleyan in the Sweet 16 after they defeated Aurora University 13-5.
 
After matching Denison shot-for-shot in a 3-3 first quarter, the Titans were outscored by a 13-3 margin in the second. Illinois Wesleyan was held to just three goals in the second half as the Big Red outscored them 9-3. Denison's defense held IWU without a goal in the third quarter of action. Denison at one point went on a 14-0 scoring run.
 
Freshman McGuire Mynatt started in goal making 11 saves and allowing 20 goals. Sophomore Benigno Houser made three saves and allowed five goals in 21 minutes of play.
 
SIGNIFICANT STATISTICS

• Illinois Wesleyan was out-shot 56-38 overall and 39-21 in shots on goal.
• IWU went just 11-for-37 on face-off's. Junior J.C. Grabarek came into the game was one of the better face-off men in the country, but was held to a 2-of-18 performance. Freshman Max Bousky was 9-of-17.
• The Titans were successful on 21-of-22 clearance attempts.
• Denison's Brooks Davy scored nine goals for the Big Red.

 
TITAN TEAM LEADERS
Points: Will Rossi (3), James Maibuecher (3), Nick Winter (3)
Goals: Rossi (3), Maibuecher (2), Winter (2), Bailey Marth (2)
Assists: Maibuecher (1), Winter (1)
Ground Balls: Bousky (3), Mynatt (3), Maibuecher (3), Tom Lyons (3)
Caused Turnovers: Six with (1)
Face-offs: Bousky (9-of-17), Grabarek (2-of-18), Zack Ladd (0-of-2)
Saves: Mynatt (11), Houser (3)