Men’s Lacrosse Ramps up Scoring in Fourth Quarter to Upend Rhodes

Titans return for home opener Feb. 19, against Ohio Wesleyan

2/13/2022 5:26:00 PM

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's lacrosse team defeated Rhodes College, 11-6, Sunday, Feb. 13. The Titans' (2-0) second-half seven-goal run pushed past the Lynx (0-2)

IWU saw seven different players score, led by sophomore Gage Black (Peoria, Ill.-Dunlap) and senior Rick Smith (Frankfort, Ill.-Lincoln Way East) who each tallied two goals and one assist. Sophomore Bob Boone (Los Angeles, Calif.-Notre Dame) and junior Jaxon Hendrickson (Langley, British Columbia-Westtown) put up two goals apiece, while twins Carson Kiichle (Vancouver, Wash.-Skyview) and Connor Kiichle (Vancouver, Wash.-Skyview) and senior Malcolm Hegepeth (Houston, Tx.-The Kinkaid School) each net one. Connor Kiichle also added an assist to his stat line along with senior Austin Masters (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.-Stevenson).

Between the posts' was senior Thomas Laduzinsky (Geneva, Ill.-Wheaton Academy), who registered 14 saves, clocking in a .700 save percentage. Senior captain Zac Taylor (Brighton, Mich.-Brighton) played a crucial role for the Titans at the faceoff x. The Brighton, Mich. native went 13-for-20 for a faceoff percentage of .650. Sophomore Micheal Campagna (Arlington Heights, Ill.-St. Viator) led with three caused turnovers as IWU finished with a total of eight.

After an opening faceoff win, courtesy of Taylor, Black scored the first goal of the game only 36 seconds into the match. The first and last lead of the game for the Titans until the 10:48 mark in the final quarter.

In a low scoring first half, the Titans and Lynx went back and forth in goals and chances. After a RC goal answered Black's to tie the game 1-1, Smith pulled out a behind the back shot to tie the game at two with just under four minutes remaining in the first 15. A trend throughout the game, Rhodes answered just 1:40 later to take the one goal lead, 3-2 before adding an additional goal with 20 seconds remaining on the clock.

Entering the second quarter down 4-2, the Titans grabbed an early goal from Carson Kiichle to bring the deficit back to one before Boone tied up the game 4-4 at the 7:15 mark. Just under a minute and a half later Rhodes answered to take the lead 5-4, ending the first half.

The Titans and Lynx each put up one goal in the third quarter. At the 14:17 minute mark the Lynx net its sixth and final goal of the day on a man-up opportunity to give them a 6-4 lead, the largest margin for Rhodes. Although Boone grabbed his second of the day to bring the Lynx lead down to one, 6-5.

IWU was outshot 10-6 in the third as Laduzinsky stood strong for the Green and White making three saves to Rhodes' one. Similarly, both squads had seven turnovers, two man-up opportunities, and three penalties in an even third quarter.

An action packed fourth quarter saw the Titans get rolling offensively. Boone's goal in the third started a seven goal unanswered run for the Green and White.

A big save from Laduzinsky and a clear attempt from Hedgepeth led to Hendrickson's game tying goal at the 10:48 mark. Tied 6-6, the fourth and final tie of the game, Smith took the ball on his own and put the Green and White up 7-6, the first lead since the 1-0 start.

A shift of momentum fueled the Titans who packed on an additional four goals all under seven minutes left in the game. Hendrickson grabbed his second of the day to widen the lead 8-6.

The Titans ninth and 10th goals came only seven seconds apart. Black net his fifth goal of the season and the Titans ninth of the game. Up 9-6 and back at the faceoff X, Taylor beat his opponent as Hedepeth came flying in from the outer edge and blasted one past the Rhodes keeper to give the Titans 10-6 lead with around five minutes remaining.

As the clock ticked down, Laduzinsky stood on his head for the Titans facing a close range open shot. With the save it jump started a fast break from the Green and White's defending third. Senior Masters found the stick of Connor Kiichle who found the back of the Lynx net at the 1:45 mark to seal the deal on the Titans 11-6 victory.

IWU returns to the field for its home opener next Saturday, Feb. 19 as the take on Ohio Wesleyan University at Tucci Stadium for a 12 p.m. start.

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