DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University men's lacrosse team hit the road Saturday for an afternoon matchup with NCAC-newcomer John Carroll University. The Battling Bishops utilized a dominant second quarter to overwhelm the Blue Streaks, 20-11. 

OWU advances to 7-6 on the season and 5-2 in the NCAC. John Carroll drops to 2-7 overall and 2-4 in conference play. 

Will Siegenthaler wasted no time, putting the Bishops ahead 1-0 just over a minute into the game. However, the Blue Streaks answered quickly, leveling the score just two minutes later. Minutes later, Carson Fialho regained the lead after finding the back of the net. JCU tied it up once again, but Wade Beckstrom and Fialho replied with strikes to make it 4-2. A late push by the Blue Streaks produced two goals in the final five minutes, sending the teams into the second period deadlocked at 4-4.

The second quarter was all Ohio Wesleyan, as the Red and Black outscored JCU 7-1 over the frame. Henry Ross started the rally with a man-up goal just over four minutes into the quarter. John Carroll responded a minute later, but Ohio Wesleyan took over from there, rattling off six unanswered goals to break the game open. Goals from Nick Sauline, Ross, Fialho, and Siegenthaler, plus a two-goal effort from Beckstrom, powered an 11-5 halftime advantage.

After the break, the Blue Streaks fired off four straight goals to regain their footing and cut the lead to 11-9. Garrett Smith pushed the lead to three at the 10:06 mark, but the Blue Streaks came charging back. John Carroll netted two quick responses to trim the deficit to 12-11 with just seven minutes remaining in the third. Stopping the Blue Streak momentum in its tracks, Fialho buried his fourth and fifth goals of the afternoon to restore a 14-11 lead heading into the final period.

The Red and Black slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter, outscoring John Carroll 6-0 to turn a close battle into a comfortable victory. Noah Citek, Max Kemp, and Siegenthaler all struck once, but it was Smith's three goals that spearheaded the commanding 6-0 run. The 20-11 win over the Blue Streaks marks the fourth straight victory for the Bishops, who continue to gain steam late in the season.

THE NUMBERS
The Red and Black fired 55 shots, putting 36 on target. OWU also grabbed 48 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers. The Bishops were 28-of-34 on faceoffs and 17-for-20 on clears. 

Henry Ross recorded a career-high eight points, courtesy of two goals and a career-best six assists. He added three ground balls. 

Carson Fialho also had a career day, recording a career-high five goals and six points. Fialho tacked on one assist and three ground balls. 

Will Siegenthaler had five points after firing three goals and dishing out two assists. 

Garrett Smith tallied five points as well after scoring a season-best four goals and adding an assist. 

Wade Beckstrom booked three goals and one assist for four points alongside three ground balls. 

Max Kemp and Nick Sauline both finished with one goal for one point. 

Noah Citek picked up a career-high 22 ground balls and went 27-31 on faceoffs. Citek added one goal and one point.

Trey Weber had three ground balls and forced two turnovers.  

Cole Tulgestke, Aidan Flowers, Henry Pinamonti, Kal Lonergan and Luca DiCarlo all picked up two ground balls.

Kal Lonergan (W, 2-0) got the start in the cage and played the first 33:07, making eight saves. Jason Mosher played the remaining 26:53 and made three saves.  

UP NEXT
Ohio Wesleyan wraps up its NCAC slate on Wednesday with a trip to Wabash. The contest is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start.