By Sports Information Student Assistant Zach Bigger

ANGOLA, Ind. - A nine goal first quarter propelled the Trine University men's lacrosse team (3-4) to a 15-5 win over Baldwin-Wallace (3-2). The Thunder jumped on their opportunities early and quickly left no doubt who the best team on the field was. They won nearly every statistical category, including shots (50-to-21), ground balls (49-to-28), and man-up goals (5-to-0).

It was Trine's third win in the past four games and was keyed by sophomore attackman Patrick Walker (Round Lake Park, Ill./Grayslake North), senior midfielder Dalton Madsen (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) and freshman midfielder Chris Ward (Oak Lawn, Ill./St Rita).

The Thunder controlled the ball early and often, and the aggressive zone Baldwin-Wallace employed was not able to effectively pressure the offense. The result led to a flurry of goals, one right after the next, all beginning with Walker catching a feed from junior Zach Matthews (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood) and hitting a long shot from the top right side of the field to the opposite back pipe. In the ensuing six minutes, the Thunder scored at least once every minute. Highlighting the scoring run was freshman Jake Ahearn's (Naperville, Ill./Naperville) one-handed snag from a cross-crease feed from fellow freshman Jack Brown (Middletown, Ohio/Archbishop Alter) that was finished off by a short range rip. Trine would put two more goals behind the net late in the period, putting together their most efficient quarter all season long.

Leading 9-1 going into the second quarter, the game slowed down as Baldwin-Wallace began to back off from their aggressive defense. Trine would only get three goals in the period. The Yellow Jackets weren't taking advantage of the situation, as they continually shot themselves in the foot with bad clear attempts and a mountain of penalties. Ward hit the opening goal of the period, Madsen had his fourth of the game midway through the quarter, and after freshman Paul Carlquist's (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) only goal of the evening; the score was 12-1 at the half.

A new quarter for Baldwin-Wallace, and it was the same story once more, continuing to rack up penalties, on their way to an eye-opening 10 for the game. Trine owned the ball on their side of the field, yet only scored on two man-up opportunities in the period, one by Ward and the other by Brown.

In the fourth quarter, the Thunder took their foot off the gas as they attempted just five shots. As a result, it was a four goal quarter for Baldwin-Wallace. Trine's lone goal in the period could come from freshman George Youpel (Chicago Ridge, Ill./St Rita) on an assist from Walker on a man-up opportunity.

All three Trine goalies saw action in the game led by sophomore Matt Lamb (Akron, Ohio/Revere) who earned the win after playing the entire first half and making five saves. Fellow sophomore Austin Helm (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) came on for just over 20 minutes and making three saves. Freshman Sam Margulis (St. Louis, Mo./MICDS) played the final 10 minutes but did not record a save.

Walker led the Thunder with a game-high seven groundballs while Ward picked up six. Junior David Louis (Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley) led the Thunder defense with three caused turnovers. In the faceoff circle, junior Rob Brzezinski (Livonia, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central), the Division III national leader in win percentage, went 6-of-10 for the game.

The Thunder travel to take on Wilmington College on March 30 2:00 p.m. as they look for their third straight victory.