Best scores program-tying 9 goals, Falcons dominate Buccaneers

BELOIT, Wis. – Marino Best had a career game and program-tying nine goals to lead Concordia Wisconsin to an overwhelming 23-12 victory at Beloit on Saturday afternoon. The turning point was when the Falcons used a 13 minute stretch in the second half to score nine unanswered goals to build a commanding 14-goal lead during the Midwest Lacrosse Conference matchup.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 23, Beloit 12
Location: Strong Stadium (Beloit, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 5-2, Beloit 1-7

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Best (senior, Nanaimo, British Columbia) tallied a hat trick in the opening 15 minutes of play to help CUW build a 7-2 advantage. He also had a trio of goals in the second quarter and then recorded three more in the final period of play.
- Both teams went back-and-forth in the second quarter and the Falcons led 13-6 at the intermission.
- During the final 10 minutes of the third quarter and the first three minutes of the fourth period is when CUW separated itself from Beloit, scoring nine unanswered goals to turn a five-goal lead into a commanding 22-8 lead with just over 12 minutes to play in the MLC game.
- CUW shared the ball well throughout the victory, assisting on 13 of the 23 goals scored.
- Senior Matt Garvey (Winnipeg, Manitoba) scored a hat trick of his own and also picked up two ground balls.
- Freshman Colin Hoch (Lino Lake, Minn.), junior Colin Raley (Inverness, Ill.) and freshman Stephen Gregory (Louisville, Ky.) each had two goals apiece, respectively. Gregory also assisted on two scores for a career-best four points. In all, 10 Falcons found the back of the net at least once.
- Senior Danny Bundra (Lake Zurich, Ill.) won 19-of-32 faceoffs and picked up a game-high 11 ground balls. He also assisted on a career-high two goals. Freshman Jack Melby (Eagan, Minn.) also won five faceoffs.
- Senior Mark Wilson (Calgary, Alberta) led the Falcons defensively with four caused turnovers and four ground balls, while Hoch and Raley each had four ground balls. Hoch also picked up a career-high four ground balls.
- Freshman Garrett Wohlford (Rochester, Minn.) made a career-high 21 saves in goal, which included six in the second period and nine in the third quarter, during a winning effort. Freshman Max Schramm (Edwards, Colo.) made three saves in nearly six minutes of work.
- The Falcons were successful, completing 26-of-28 clears, while also winning 24 faceoffs.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- CUW's 23 goals are tied for the fifth most in a game in program history.
- The Falcons 24 saves are the most in a game in program history, while the 24 faceoff wins are tied for the third most.
- CUW is now 5-1 in MLC openers and have won the last four contests to start league play.
- Best's nine goals are tied for the program record, which was set by Derek Brueske last season.
- Wohlford's 21 saves set the program record.
- Bundra's 11 ground balls were tied for the seventh most in a game in program history, while his 19 faceoff wins are tied for the fifth most.

THE OPPOSITION
- Michael Boyland led the Buccaneers with four goals, while Luke Bankord and Matt Kelly each had two goals, respectively. In all, seven players scored a goal.
- Chris Anderson led the defensive efforts with five ground balls and three caused turnovers. Jake Wallace also had an impressive game with eight caused turnovers and a pair of ground balls.
- John Murphy played 47:11 in goal and made 13 saves, but took the loss.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons travel to Benedictine in a week, Saturday, March 2, for a 1 pm Midwest Lacrosse Conference matchup.