via Webber press release

BOX SCORE

BABSON PARK, Fla. (January 28, 2022) – The Webber International University men’s lacrosse team opened its 2022 campaign on Friday afternoon as it hosted the Taylor University Trojans. The Warriors looked in control from start to finish as they cruised to an 11-point victory in the first game of the season.

The Warriors (1-0 overall) heavily outshot the Trojans (0-1) in the game, a hefty 52-25 in total. Defensively, Webber forced its opposition into 25 turnovers while winning the majority of face-offs with 15 compared to Taylor’s 10.

Webber started the game with two early goals in the first quarter coming from Chase Jackson and Alex West in the first five minutes. The Trojans would find the back of the net twice in the first quarter, but a goal from Riley Roy would maintain the Warrior-lead heading into the second quarter, 3-2.

Taylor would strike first in the second quarter, tying the game at three apiece. However, the Warriors would then score three-straight goals over the next six minutes including two from Alexander Kew and another from West. Both teams would score twice each throughout the rest of the quarter and the Warriors would head into halftime with an 8-5 lead.

The second half would be all Webber as it continued to build upon its lead. The first two goals of the third quarter would come from Kew as he earned his hat-trick. Jackson would score in once in each of the final two quarters, earning him a hat-trick as well to go with his seven assists in total for the game.

“Our team really played well today, especially in the second half,” Head Coach Chris Burdick spoke after the game. “I think we just had to settle down a little. A lot of work has gone into our preparation and the guys were really excited to play today.”

Offensively, the Warriors were led by Kew who tallied six goals and one assist followed by last season’s Appalachian Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, Jackson, with three goals and seven assists. West had two goals while Dane Fasano, Riley Roy, Houston Finlayson, Jonathan Schrager, and Daniel McClure all had one goal each. Dave Becker handled the majority of face-offs for the Warriors winning eight of his 15 face-offs while Joshua Cargile won four of his five face-offs. Goalkeeper Alex Cordero saved 10 of the 15 total shots he faced in the net as well.

“Alex Cordero was very solid in the net for us today and his big flurry with two men down in the third quarter helped us lock this down today,” continued Coach Burdick. “Chase Jackson and Alexander Kew both stepped up for us today and as captains and that is what we need from them. It was a good win for us against a tough and well-coached Taylor University group. I thought their goalie played well and their face-off guy worked hard the whole game. They were an impressive group so we are lucky to get a good performance and come out with the win.”

There will be no break for the Warriors as they are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Tallahassee, Florida for a neutral game against Point University at 3 p.m.