Brueske scores 7 goals, Men's Lacrosse downs Piedmont

DEMOREST, Ga. – Derek Brueske scored a career-high seven goals to help Concordia University Wisconsin in a convincing 13-7 non-conference victory over Piedmont College on Tuesday afternoon at Walker Athletic Complex.

Brueske (senior, Hopkins, Min..) put on a show during the first half and tallied three of his goals in the opening quarter, and had six by halftime, which was more than the Lions scored as a team. He also recorded three man-up scores to tie the program's single game record.

The Falcons led 4-2 just over two minutes into the second quarter before scoring five-consecutive goals to put the game out of reach by the intermission. They took full advantage of Piedmont's penalties and ended the game 5-of-9 on man-up opportunities (two shy of the program's single game team record). CUW also dominated the ground ball statistic, picking up 48 compared to Piedmont's 21.

Junior Danny Bundra (junior, Lake Zurich, Ill.) helped the Falcons gain possession often by winning 17-of-22 faceoffs and picking up six ground balls. As a result, they finished with a decisive 39-23 shots advantage, including 31-14 on goal.

Brueske also assisted on the first goal of the third quarter to finish with a career-high eight points, which was two shy of the program's single game record. Sophomore Colin Raley (Inverness, Ill.) continued to a successful start to the season with three goals and an assist, and junior Marino Best (Naniamo, British Columbia) found the back of the net twice.

Sophomore Benjamin Smith (Round Lake Beach, Ill.) led the defensive efforts with three caused turnovers and junior Mark Wilson (Calgary, Alberta) picked up a career-high nine ground balls. Senior Mitch Trapp (Hartland, Wis.) also picked up a career-high eight ground balls. Junior Thomas Mueller (Prior Lake, Minn.) played nearly the entire game and made seven saves.

Spencer Ortis and Steve Blanchard led the Piedmont offense with two goals apiece. Ryan Price recorded a team-high four ground balls and caused three turnovers, while three other Lions (3-6) each had two caused turnovers.

CUW concludes its nearly 2,000 mile spring break trip with a Thursday contest at Transylvania University.