WPU Takes Down Indiana Tech in Top-10 Matchup

Oskaloosa--The Statesmen men's lacrosse team opened its home campaign Saturday with a statement victory, defeating No. 6 Indiana Tech 13-12 in non-conference action.

No. 7 William Penn (3-1) came out on top despite being outshot 50-47 and committing one more turnover (31-30) than the Warriors (2-2).

The hosts were unstoppable in the early moments, scoring four times in the first 142 seconds.  Harley Williams (Sr., Edmonton, Alberta, Political Science) broke the ice at the 1:39 mark and then doubled WPU's advantage 25 seconds later.  Both goals were assisted by Kenny Bohney (Sr., Moorhead, Minn., Exercise Science) 

Matt Scott (Fr., Denver, Colo., Sports Management) then got in on the action just 13 ticks later, while Williams, with an assist from Bryce Campbell (Sr., Meridian, Idaho, Kinesiology), made it 4-0.

Scott tacked on two more goals as the navy and gold took a 6-3 edge into the second quarter.  Nate Levy (So., Lynwood, Wash., Biology) assisted on the freshman's score.

WPU then suffered a scoring drought in the second quarter, getting just one ball into the netting from Williams (assist to Bohney) at the 5:33 mark.  Although the offense was stymied, the Statesmen still went into the break with a 7-6 edge.

The third stanza saw both sides warm up again, but Indiana Tech was slightly more successful as it finally took its first lead at 11-10 in the waning seconds of the quarter.  Williams (from Scott) and Scott (unassisted) both beat the Warrior goalkeeper, while Isaac Heitschmidt (Fr., Oregon City, Ore., Industrial Technology) helped Bohney with a goal as well.

The Statesmen dug themselves a two-goal deficit as ITU scored in the opening minute of the fourth.  Fortunately, that was the final goal WPU permitted.

The offense also got the job done down the stretch.  Bohney's second and final goal pulled William Penn closer at the 11:56 juncture, while Scott (from Williams) knotted the score four minutes later.

Everett Breniser (So., Centennial, Colo., Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management) tallied just one goal Saturday, but his was the biggest of the afternoon, scoring from distance off a pass from Scott with 2:34 to go.

The Statesmen defense stood tall a few more times, and the squad escaped with the one-goal win.

Scott paced the victors with five goals and three assists, while Williams also scored five times (one assist).  Bohney's two goals were accompanied by three assists.

Campbell kept the ball in Statesmen hands as he won 13 of his 24 faceoffs; overall, the navy and gold claimed 16 of Saturday's 29 faceoffs.  Campbell also added a team-best nine ground balls.  WPU held a 28-24 advantage in ground balls.

Connor Russell (Sr., Grand Haven, Mich., Applied Computer Science) earned the goalkeeper win by saving 14 of the 26 shots on goal he faced, while Blake Cyboron (Sr., Council Bluffs, Iowa, Industrial Technology) topped the defensive effort with three caused turnovers.

"There is something to this group," Head Coach Luke Christiansen said.  "Without one our top players, and not playing a super clean game, this is a great result that we can build off."

Next Up: William Penn takes its longest break of the season, returning to action on March 21 as it hosts Ottawa (Kan.) in its Heart of America Athletic Conference opener at 2 p.m.