Men's Lacrosse Fires 55 Shots In 17-8 Loss To Bryn Athyn

ITHACA, N.Y. – Despite holding advantages in several statistical categories, the Wells College men's lacrosse team posted a 17-8 loss to Bryn Athyn College Sunday afternoon at Higgins Stadium. Wells falls to 1-2 overall on the season following their first North Eastern Athletic Conference loss of the year. Bryn Athyn picks up their program's first-ever conference victory, moving to 4-1 (1-0 NEAC) in league play.

Freshman Tanner Mingen (Houston, Texas) and sophomore Alex Milliken (Hilton, N.Y.) each scored three goals for the Express. Milliken added two assist for a game-high point total of five (3-2=5) while freshman Aaron Heisey (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) scooped up a team-best nine ground balls. Sophomore Cody Roberson (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and junior Michael Flaherty (Rochester, N.Y.) combined for 18 faceoff victories, with Roberson collecting 11 wins at the "X".

The Express held advantages in shots (55-to-39), ground balls (40-to-37), faceoff wins (18-to-11) and clears (19-to-18), but the Lions placed 26 shots on goal as opposed to only 24 for Wells. Cumulatively in the contest, 31 of Wells' 55 total shots were either blocked or missed the cage completely.

Bryn Athyn carried a 6-3 lead into halftime despite the Express holding a convincing advantage in shots taken. With the game tied at two following a goal from junior Connor Jansen (Horseheads, N.Y.), Bryn Athyn scored four of the game's next five goals to take the halftime lead.

Out of the half, Bryn Athyn continued to convert on their shots and rattled off two quick goals within the second half's first 46 seconds. Wells countered with strikes from Milliken and Mingen, but Bryn Athyn took control of the game with eight of the game's next nine goals down the stretch. A goal by Marlon Forrest with seven seconds remaining in regulation time placed Bryn Athyn up by a 17-8 final score.

Ryan Landels led the Lions with eight points of offense, scoring five goals and adding three assist (5-3=8). Nolan Frame scored four goals and set up two while Travis McCurdy racked up nine ground balls.

Wells backstop Tyler Bischoff (Allendale, N.J.) kept his team in the game, making an impressive 16 saves before yielding to sophomore Elijah Tracey (Utica, N.Y.) who allowed one goal on two shots. Robert Moran came up large for Bryn Athyn as well, matching Bischoff's save total of 16 while allowing only six Wells goals. Nelson Lopez relieved Moran with just under six minutes left and allowed goals on both shots that he faced.

The Express will face-off against Hilbert on Wednesday, Apr. 1 on the campus of the Nichols School in Buffalo, N.Y. at 3:30 p.m.