QUICK HITS
- Cleveland State scored early and often in cruising to a 19-10 win over Canisius
- The Vikings closed the first half on a 13-0 run to take total control of the contest
- CSU tied program standards in goals (19) and assists (13) in the contest
- Junior Nick Wendel had a career-high six points as his five goals tied the school record
- Freshman Nick Polydoras had season highs in goals (4) and points (5)
- Freshman Andrew Hamilton won 15 of 25 faceoffs and added six ground balls
- Sophomore Jason Sullivan extended his point streak to six games with a pair of assists
- Cleveland State led by at least eight goals for the final 36 minutes of the game
- CSU notched its fifth win of the season, topping its total from last year with four games remaining
GAME RECAP
The Cleveland State University lacrosse team scored early and often to cruise to a 19-10 victory over visiting Canisius inside Krenzler Dome Tuesday evening.
Trailing 2-0 two minutes into the game, CSU proceeded to close the first half on a 13-0 to take total control against an NCAA Tournament participant from a season ago. The Vikings tied their highest figures to date in goals (19) and assists (13) while the 32 points is a new single-game high for the program.
Cleveland State forced Canisius' starting goaltender, who ranked among the top 15 in DI in save percentage entering the contest, from the game before the halftime horn. The Vikings were able to build such a cushion thanks to two hallmarks of their 2019 season—their prowess at the faceoff 'X' and their ride.
The Vikings won 21 of 32 faceoffs, including 12 of 17 in the first half, while holding Canisius to a 13-for-21 mark on clears. Freshman Andrew Hamilton won 15 of 25 faceoffs and netted a season-high six ground balls while juniors Danny Tesler (4-4) and Jared Stepka (2-3) also pitched in on faceoffs. Six different Vikings caused turnovers during Canisius clear attempts.
Junior Nick Wendel had a game-high and career-high six points on five goals and an assist. His quintet of goals tied the program standard as he became the third Viking to hit that figure in a game. The outing was his second straight hat trick and the third time in four games he had at least three points.
Freshman Nick Polydoras had the best offensive game of his young career with four goals and an assist, setting season highs in goals and points. He has scored in four of the last five games after not scoring in his first half dozen contests as a collegian.
After allowing two goals inside the first two minutes, Cleveland State soon gathered itself and took control. The Vikings would score on three straight possessions in a 70-second span to take the lead just under five minutes into the contest.
That proved to be the tip of the iceberg as the Vikings would go on to reel off 13 straight goals before the halftime whistle to take a 11-goal lead into the break. Nine different Vikings scored during the run with Polydoras and Wendel both registering hat tricks during the opening half.
Cleveland State actually extended its lead to 12 goals after three periods before Canisius used a big fourth quarter, while a number of Viking reserves were seeing action, to cut the final margin just under double digits.
Sophomore Stephen Russo made eight saves in his first start of the season in the cage.
Sophomore Michael Wilson had a goal and three assists, producing at least three points for the seventh time in eight games. In doing so, he surpassed his point total from 2018, as he now owns 37 this season, and also became the first Viking to reach 70 career points.
Sophomore Jason Sullivan now has a six-game point streak, and multiple points in five straight, after his pair of assists Tuesday. Junior long-stick midfielder Zach Whitenack netted his first multi-goal game of the season Tuesday and also caused a game-high three turnovers.
Junior Jack Frickleton, sophomore Jake Higgins and freshman Zack Kasson each had a goal and an assist. Kasson's points were the first of his career while he also tallied the first two caused turnovers of his career.
Freshman Adam Clark and juniors Tristen Copeland, Noah Gleeson and Jared Stepka also found the net for the Vikings Tuesday. Hamilton posted his first assist as a collegian while junior Sherwin Gersten notched his first helper of the season. Sophomore Derek Radke also added an assist.
Cleveland State had advantages in nearly every statistical category, including shots, shots on goal, ground balls, faceoffs won, clearing percentage and saves. CSU's four man-up goals tied the highest such figure by the program.
The third-year Viking squad notched its fifth win of the season, surpassing last season's total with four games remaining in 2019.
Cleveland State will return to action this weekend as it hosts Community Day while welcoming St. Bonaventure Saturday, April 6.
