HOLLAND, Mich. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's lacrosse team suffered is first setback of the season with a  10-9 loss at Hope College Wednesday, March 2. The Titans (2-1) were outshot 43-35, yet put more shots on target (23-17) compared to the Flying Dutchmen (2-0)..

Titan goal-leader and senior Rick Smith (Frankfort, Ill.-Lincoln Way East) helped the Titans in assists with a game-high three in addition to one goal. Fellow senior Charles Hildestad (Carlock, Ill.-St. Viator) led the Titans with a game-high three goals.

In net, the Green and White saw senior Thomas Laduzinsky (Geneva, Ill.-Wheaton Academy) record seven saves.

It was a goalie showdown between the Titans and Flying Dutchmen in the first quarter. It was not until the five minute mark where Hope net the game's first goal to give HC the 1-0 lead. Sophomore Bob Boone (Los Angeles, Calif.-Notre Dame) responded two minutes later with the equalizer on a man-up opportunity. A helper from Smith gave Boone the ball with three minutes left in the first 15. In a low-scoring first quarter, IWU and Hope headed into the second, tied 1-1. 

A goal by Hildestad put the Green and White up, 2-1 just a minute and 15 seconds into the second. The Titans followed with four more goals including a career-first for junior Everett Carstens (Tigard, Ore.-Tigard). Hildestad gave the Titans a 6-1 lead after scoring his 50th career goal with under eight and a half to go in the second.

At the 7:35 mark, Hope ended IWU's six-goal run, closing the deficit to four as the Titans ended the half up, 6-2. 

In a scoreless third quarter for the Green and White, the Titans found themselves in their defending half often. Hope packed on four goals, tying the game at six with two minutes remaining in the third period. Just a minute later Hope took back the lead, 7-6, its first since the opening 1-0 advantage. 

After 45 minutes of play, the Titans found themselves down by one, 7-6, to start the final quarter. IWU finally put a stop to the Flying Dutchmen's five-goal run after junior Carson Kiichle (Vancouver, Wash.-Skyview) found Hildestad for a behind the back goal, to tie the game back up at seven. 

At the 11:18 mark, sophomore Trystan Seeley (Castle Rock, Colo.-Castle View) put one behind HC's goalie, initiating another lead change. The Titans led 8-7, but not for long, as Hope answered with a goal of their own to tie the game at eight. Around three minutes later the Flying Dutchmen took back the lead for the second time, 9-8 and with only 3:18 to go in the game. 

With under a minute to go, the Flying Dutchmen scored an insurance goal to widen the gap, 10-8. Smith was able to get one past Hope's goalie with 26 seconds remaining off a HC turnover, but it was not enough as the Titans suffered its first loss of the season, 10-9. 

IWU has a quick turnaround as they welcome the University of Dubuque tomorrow, Thursday March 3 for its home opener at 4 p.m. inside Tucci Stadium.