Falcons down Dubuque in the season opener

MEQUON, Wis. – The CUW men's lacrosse team shined underneath the February sun on Saturday afternoon at Fitting Field. The Falcons defeated Dubuque, 9-7, to improve to 1-0 on the young season.

Senior Donovan Harper (Yorba Linda, Calif.) scored the first goal of the game with an assist to senior Ryan LeFebvre (Chicago, Ill.).

The Spartans took the lead with a pair of goals.

Ryan LeFebvre tied the game with 3:07 left in the first quarter.

Senior Connor Peterson (Calgary, Alta.) scored a pair of goals in the second quarter, but the Spartans had three to lead 5-4 at halftime.

After Dubuque pushed the lead to 6-4, the Falcons flexed their muscles.

Senior Keijo Day (Esko, Minn.) found the back of the net at the 9:36 mark of the third quarter and senior Taitum Priewe (Janesville, Wis.) tied the game 32 seconds later. Priewe gave the Falcons the lead with 5:22 left in the third quarter.

The Spartans tied the game with 10:30 left, but Keijo Day ripped a shot past the Dubuque keeper three minutes later and Taitum Priewe sealed the deal with a goal with 33 seconds left.

The Falcons collected 29 ground balls on Saturday, led by sophomore Noah Brandt (Owatonna, Minn.) with nine.

CUW also won 12 of the 19 faceoffs on Saturday and outshot Dubuque with a 43-34 advantage.

Senior Alex Loding (Mundelein, Ill.) collected 16 saves in the victory.

The Falcons return to play on Saturday at Elmhurst