The Illinois Wesleyan University men’s lacrosse team will play against Calvin University at home on Saturday, March 28, following a series of four away games. The match is scheduled to begin at noon.
This event is notable as it marks the Titans’ return to Tucci Stadium in Bloomington, Illinois after their recent road stretch. Following the game, a youth clinic for first through eighth graders will be held free of charge.
Illinois Wesleyan enters the contest with a record of 6-4 after defeating Wabash College 17-6 on March 25. Junior Timothy McHugh led the offense with six points and reached his 100th career assist during that game. Sophomore Owen Miller and freshman Holden Webster each scored four goals, while sophomore Charlie Burghardt provided four assists. Senior Michael Rocco and sophomore Matt Arnold each won eight faceoffs, with Rocco collecting five ground balls. Defensively, senior Karsten Nordlie and sophomore Jake Sline both recorded two caused turnovers, while sophomore Jaymeson Zackery earned the win in goal with seven saves.
McHugh currently leads the team in points this season with 34, including a team-best 15 assists and second-most goals at 19. Junior Jake Kahoun follows with 23 points and leads in goals scored at 20. Webster has contributed 19 points from his third-ranked total of seventeen goals this year. At faceoff, Rocco holds a .544 win percentage while Arnold has achieved a .515 rate; Zackery leads ground ball recoveries with forty-two so far this season.
Defensive efforts are led by senior Billy McHugh who has forced twenty-two turnovers; Nordlie is next highest with fourteen forced miscues according to the official website. The team’s defense ranks fourth nationally in caused turnovers per game (14.60 average). In goalkeeping statistics, Zackery has logged over five hundred minutes and made one hundred sixteen saves for a .545 save percentage.
This will be only the second meeting between Illinois Wesleyan and Calvin University; last season’s matchup ended in an eighteen-fifteen victory for Illinois Wesleyan on March 22, powered by nine points from McHugh. The Titans compete at NCAA Division III level as members of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Home games are played at Tucci Stadium. The program is based in Bloomington.
The upcoming match will also feature fundraising activities benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital throughout the weekend.
