Falcons Secure Home Playoff Game With Win Over Illinois Tech

MEQUON, Wis. - The Concordia Wisconsin men's lacrosse team wrapped up its regular season schedule on Saturday afternoon, topping the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks, 18-10. The contest saw the Falcons clinch their sixth 12-win season and their first since 2019.

Senior Parker Beaudry (Sherwood Park, Alta.) led the scorebook with his third eight-goal contest of the 2024 campaign, furthering his single-season scoring record in the process.

After opening their last game with a 7-0 explosion in the first quarter, the Falcons scored six unanswered goals to open the contest, three of which came off of the stick of senior Caleb Ruger (Grafton, Wis.). Beaudry took responsibility for two of the other scores, while junior Griffin Bahr (Grand Rapids, Minn.) notched his ninth goal of the season.

Ruger and junior Gio Nowotarski (Reading, Pa.) kicked off the second quarter of play with a pair of goals for Concordia before Illinois Tech found the scoreboard, which ended the scoring run at eight goals. Bahr then went on to pick up his second score of the game before Beaudry tallied three goals to give the Falcons a 12-3 halftime advantage.

The Scarlet Hawks cut into the deficit in the third quarter, potting six goals. Beaudry secured Concordia's lone goal of the frame off of an assist from junior Max Esposito (Gaithersburg, Md.), who picked up his eighth assist of the game on the play. Esposito became just the third Falcon in program history to reach the mark, setting a career-high in the process.

Thwarting the comeback attempt, Concordia recorded five goals in the fourth quarter of play to Illinois Tech's one. Two Falcons earned their first goals of the game to begin the period, as freshman Jaxon Hill (Bismarck, N.D.) and senior Matthew Sierzega (Grayslake, Ill.) found the back of the net. Ruger joined the parade as well before Beaudry picked up the final two scores of the outing, which ended with the Falcons holding an 18-10 margin.

Beaudry finished the game with eight goals, becoming the first Falcon in program history to eclipse 80 scores in a single season.

Freshman goaltender Travis Marquardt (Brookfield, Wis.) recorded 16 saves for Concordia in the outing.

The Falcons will kick off postseason play in the NACC Tournament on Wednesday, May 1, which will see them face the 8-7 Scarlet Hawks once more. The contest will serve as a rematch of the 2023 NACC semifinals, as the Falcons will look to avenge their 12-10 defeat.