The Illinois Wesleyan University men’s lacrosse team experienced its first defeat of the season on Sunday, losing to Southwestern University 13-12 in a closely contested match. The Titans’ record now stands at 1-1, while Southwestern improves to 2-0. The game was held at Tucci Stadium in Bloomington, Illinois, where the Titans play their home games as part of their participation in NCAA Division III and the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (official website).
Illinois Wesleyan had maintained a lead with under seven minutes remaining, but Southwestern scored the final two goals to secure the win. This loss ended a 27-game home winning streak for the Titans, which had been active for over 1,000 days and was previously the longest among NCAA Division III teams. The last home loss for Illinois Wesleyan came against Rhodes College on February 19, 2023.
Sophomore Owen Miller led Illinois Wesleyan offensively with three points—two goals and his first career assist. Freshman Brody Jones and juniors Jake Kahoun and Timothy McHugh each contributed two points. Kahoun and Timothy McHugh scored twice each; Jones added a goal and an assist.
Senior Michael Rocco won 10 out of 19 faceoffs at midfield, while sophomore Matt Arnold went 3-for-9. Sophomore goalkeeper Jaymeson Zackery led with six ground balls; Rocco, senior Karsten Nordlie, and sophomore Wyatt Hart each collected five.
Defensively, Zackery set a career high with six caused turnovers. Seniors Billy McHugh and Kaden Gammelgaard each recorded five caused turnovers. Zackery played all 60 minutes in goal and made ten saves.
Illinois Wesleyan outshot Southwestern (52-32), held an advantage in shots on goal (34-23), ground balls (53-50), and successful clear attempts (27-of-32 compared to Southwestern’s 20-of-32). However, Southwestern’s goalkeeper made 22 saves compared to Zackery’s ten. The Pirates also won more faceoffs (15) than the Titans (13). The Titans set a new program record with 32 caused turnovers in a single game.
During the third period, trailing by three goals, Jeremy Langosch forced a turnover that led to freshman Lucas Patterson scoring his first collegiate goal. Later in the period, Charlie Burghardt tied the game at eight after another forced turnover gave Illinois Wesleyan an extra-man opportunity.
In the fourth quarter, Billy McHugh assisted his brother Timothy McHugh for a go-ahead goal early on. Miller then found Jones for another score less than a minute later. After several exchanges of goals between both teams, Rocco put Illinois Wesleyan ahead again at 12-11 with just under seven minutes left.
Southwestern responded by tying and then taking the lead late in the game. Despite multiple opportunities in the closing moments, turnovers prevented Illinois Wesleyan from scoring again.
Illinois Wesleyan will continue its season at home against Aurora University on Saturday, February 21 at Tucci Stadium (official website). The men’s match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., following the women’s lacrosse season opener earlier that day.
