McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's lacrosse team secured a decisive victory against Benedictine University in their home opener at Tucci Stadium on Wednesday night, February 28. The Titans emerged victorious with a score of 24-8, marking their first win of the season and bringing their record to 1-2. Meanwhile, the Eagles fell to 0-2.

Sophomore Andrew Ortega led Illinois Wesleyan's offense with a career-high nine points, comprising six goals and three assists. Senior Gage Black followed closely with seven points, achieving his personal best through three goals and four assists. Freshman Timothy McHugh and sophomore Noah Dretzka each contributed five points to the team's total.

Defensively, junior Nick Horrocks caused three turnovers, leading the team in this category. Sophomores Kaden Gammelgard and Kade Miers, along with senior Michael Campagna, each forced two turnovers. McHugh collected nine ground balls for the team, while junior John Kittoe, Black, senior Zo Lombardo, and Campagna added four each.

At faceoffs, Lombardo won 16 out of 23 attempts. Sophomore Michael Rocco achieved five wins from eleven tries. Junior Colin Tervo made seven saves during one half of play; senior Alex Oximana contributed nine saves; and junior Segen Chambers recorded one save.

The Titans dominated early by scoring the first six goals of the game. Ortega opened scoring just 38 seconds into the match. Seniors Ike Eastburn and Trystan Seeley quickly added more goals to build an early lead. McHugh assisted junior Sam Skelton for another goal that extended the lead to 4-0.

After ending a six-goal streak with scores from junior Jake Gisi and Eastburn—assisted by Kittoe and Ortega—Benedictine managed to score once before Ortega scored twice more to end the period at 8-1 in favor of IWU.

Illinois Wesleyan continued its momentum into the second period by netting four consecutive goals to reach a double-digit lead at 12-1.

As halftime approached with a commanding lead of 17-4 going into third quarter play—the Titans maintained control throughout remaining periods ultimately winning comfortably over opponents leading as much as seventeen points en route towards victory.

Looking ahead—they will remain at home Saturday March second facing Aurora University scheduled start time being set for one p.m located within same venue: Tucci Stadium