Game Info: Saturday, March 7 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Quick Stadium - Philadelphia, Pa.
Social Media: @WidenerSports |
@WidenerLacrosse
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Opening Faceoff
The Pride returns home to face its first ranked opponent of the season in #12 Gettsyburg on Saturday, March 7. Opening faceoff from Quick Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Widener University men's lacrosse team defeated the Emerson Lions at Franklin Field on Wednesday afternoon to remain undefeated and match its best start in school history.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Connor Heisman continued his hot start to the season, leading all players with five goals on the day. His 24 points through four contests leads the team.
- Paz Gismondi dished out four assists and notched the first goal of the game for Widener.
- John Dunbar recorded his second career hat trick with three scores of his own.
- Matt Gress and Austin Novick scored their first career goals for the Blue and Gold.
- On defense, Tommy Fredericks led the way with five ground balls and two caused turnovers.
- Kenneth Watts went 10-of-13 on faceoffs and scooped a team-high six ground balls.
- Carter Landry recorded seven saves and allowed just two goals in the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Widener struck first off a goal from Gismondi, but Emerson responded with a score off the ensuing faceoff. Four more Pride goals, including two from Dunbar, gave it a 5-1 advantage after the first 15. The Blue and Gold further extended its lead in the second, finding the back of the cage five more times. Widener's defense did not allow Emerson to create opportunities in the first half, holding the Lions to just five shots on goal as it went up 10-2 after 30 minutes of play.
The second act was much of the same for Widener as it tacked on five more goals and kept the opposition scoreless in the third quarter. The Lions showed some spark in the final quarter with five scores of their own, but it was too little too late as the Pride cemented its fourth victory of the season.
Scouting Report
Gettysburg enters the matchup at 4-1 overall coming off 7-6 overtime win against #9 York (Pa.) on Wednesday. Head coach Hank Janczyk is in his 33rd season with the Bullets and ranks second all-time in NCAA history with 471 victories.
In net for the Bullets is sophomore goalkeeper Scott MacMillan who has posted an impressive 69.4 percent save percentage, a 7.66 goals against average, and two 20 save games this season. Offensively, Gettysburg bolsters a balanced attack with four its starters logging double digit points so far. On faceoffs, Alex Ulrich is winning a conference best 60.4 percent of his battles.
Historic Start
With its win over Emerson, Widener matched its best start in program history at 4-0. The last time Widener won its first four games was in 1981 when it took down Drew, Ursinis, Upsala, and Wilkes under head coach Ed Dinski.
A win against Gettysburg would mark the best opening in school history.
Stone Cold (Penalty) Killers
The Blue and Gold has neutralized 82.6 percent of its opponents' man-up opportunities, good for third in the MAC Commonwealth and 48th nationally. While on the penalty advantage, it has converted 42.3 percent of its chances on 11 goals.
He's A Keeper
Through four matchups, goalkeeper
Carter Landry's 6.78 goals against average for the Pride leads the conference and ranks 21st in all of NCAAD3. His stellar 63.2 percent save percentage has earned him MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Week twice so far this season.
Strong Sequel
Connor Heisman is off to a hot start in his sophomore campaign after posting an impressive first season that earned him MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year. After four contests, he leads the conference with 6.00 points per game and 2.75 assists per matchup.
CLEAR!
Clearing the ball has always been a strong point of emphasis for head coach
Jamie Lockard and it has paid dividends for his teams. Through four games this season, his team is among the conference leaders with a 85.3 percent clearing percentage. Last year, the Pride led the MAC Commonwealth at 84.6 percent and ranked second at 83.7 percent in 2018.
Up Next
The Pride stays at home to take on Elizabethtown on Saturday, March 14. Opening faceoff from Quick Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
