Kade Miers shooting against Southwestern Feb. 15, 2026

ASHTIN ELDER PHOTO

Men’s Lacrosse Eyes Thursday Date with Eagles

Titans take on Benedictine at 7 p.m. inside Tucci Stadium

3/4/2026 10:00:00 AM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - After enjoying a weekend off, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's lacrosse team will host Benedictine University for a Thursday night contest inside Tucci Stadium, March 5. Action is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

The Green and White (2-2) return home after downing DePauw University, 7-6, on the road Wednesday night, Feb. 25. Juniors Jake Kahoun (Worthington, Ohio-Thomas Worthington) and Nate Pound (Theinsville, Wis.-Homestead) led the offense with two points on two goals apiece. Senior Karsten Nordlie (Roscoe, Ill.-Hononegah Community) scooped up a team-best five ground balls, while senior Michael Rocco (Libertyville, Ill.-Libertyville) posted nine wins at the X. In goal for IWU, sophomore Jaymeson Zackery (Saint Paul, Minn.-Eastview) made eight saves.

Kahoun leads the Illinois Wesleyan offense with 11 points, all coming on goals. Junior Timothy McHugh (Orland Park, Ill.-Mount Carmel) follows with eight points, composed of five goals and a team-high three assists. Senior Noah Dretzka (Delafield, Wis.-Kettle Moraine), sophomore Owen Miller (Brookfield, Wis.-Brookfield Central), and freshman Brody Jones (Boring, Ore.-West Linn) all follow with five points each. Drezka and Jones are tied for third on the team in goals with four.

At the X, Rocco leads the team with 36 faceoff wins, coming on a 36-of-61 showing. Sophomore Matt Arnold (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect) follows, as he has gone 18-for-39 this season. As a team, the Titans rank 15th in ground balls (195) and 12th in ground balls per game (48.75) in Division III. Leading the way, Zackery has scooped up 22 ground balls through the first four games. Nordlie follows with 17, and Rocco rounds out the top three with 13.

IWU also ranks nationally in caused turnovers per game, as its average of 18.75 is good for fourth in the nation. Senior Billy McHugh (Orland Park, Ill.-Mount Carmel) leads the defensive efforts with 11 caused turnovers on the year. Zackery sits second with nine forced miscues, while senior Kaden Gammelgaard (Lake Zurich, Ill.-Lake Zurich) closely trails with eight.

Zackery has logged all 240 minutes in goal for the Green and White, en route to a 2-2 record between the iron. The sophomore enters Thursday with 47 saves and a .516 save percentage.

Illinois Wesleyan will meet BenU (3-0) on the turf for the sixth time, with the Titans coming away victorious in all previous battles. Most recently, the Green and White downed the Eagles, 13-9, Feb. 26, 2025. Timothy McHugh led the offense with six points on one goal and five assists, while now-assistant coach Ike Eastburn buried a team-leading five goals. Nick Schroeder posted team-highs of five ground balls and 17 faceoff wins on 19 attempts. Colin Tervo picked up the win in goal behind five saves and a team-best three caused turnovers. Benedictine enters after most recently defeating Carroll University, Saturday, Feb. 28. All three of BU's wins this season have come against College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opponents.

A link to the live stream can be found here, while live stats will be available by clicking here.

Print Friendly Version