OWINGS MILLS, Md. (May 3, 2017) – The Widener University men's lacrosse team was dealt an 18-2 loss by nationally-ranked Stevenson in the semifinal round of the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth Tournament at Mustang Stadium on Wednesday evening.
 
The game started off tightly contested and dominated by the defenses, as both teams combined to misfire on the first 13 shots of the game. Stevenson, however, got on the board shortly after a Pride turnover when Brandon Watson found an open JT Thelen at the 4:50 mark. Despite being limited to just four shots, the Pride only trailed by a goal after the first quarter.
 
Stevenson (12-5) then carried its momentum into the second frame and established control by netting back-to-back markers just 29 seconds apart. Sean Ohlhaver capitalized on another Pride turnover to double the margin before Kyle Karsian added insurance. A man-up goal by Tyler Fuhrman with 4:11 on the clock then made it 5-0, and the visitors were never able to recover.
 
Thelen paced a balanced Stevenson offense by registering three goals and three assists in the contest. Kyle D'Onofrio, Karsian and Fuhrman also tallied hat tricks, while Fuhrman and D'Onofrio scooped up three ground balls apiece. Ross Dinan made eight stops in more than 53 minutes of play to pick up the victory between the pipes.

The Pride got contributions from sophomore Brady Franks (State College, Pa.) and junior John Ferguson (Springfield, Pa.). Franks netted his eighth goal of the postseason, while Ferguson finished the game with five ground balls and two caused turnovers. Sophomore Joel Given (Flemington, N.J.), who was making his first career start between the pipes, made seven saves in three quarters of action and freshman Mike Romefelt (Owings Mills, Md.) turned away four shots in his collegiate debut during the final frame.
 
Widener (9-8) graduates only four seniors and is slated to return more than 40 letterwinners, including nine starters, next season.