STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — The Wabash College lacrosse team snapped a four-game losing streak Saturday afternoon with a strong offensive performance, rallying from an early deficit to defeat Franciscan University 18-12 at Trinity Health System Field.
Wabash (2-4) erupted for 11 second-half goals after entering halftime tied 7-7, using a balanced scoring attack and a decisive advantage in possession to pull away from the Barons (2-4). Eleven different Little Giants scored goals in the victory while Wabash outshot Franciscan 67-26 and controlled faceoffs and ground balls throughout the contest.
Evan Bair led the Little Giants with five points on two goals and three assists, while Will Sorg added two goals and two assists. Will Kerker, Zach McMichael, Jake Pippen, Keegan Hatchell, and Cam Fecht each scored twice as Wabash produced its highest offensive output of the season.
Franciscan struck first and built a three-goal advantage in the opening period. Charles Wilson scored the game's first goal at the 11:48 mark before Joseph James added two unassisted tallies and Ayden Burke scored to give the Barons a 4-1 lead midway through the first quarter.
Wabash answered late in the period. Eli Backus finished a pass from Bair with 3:05 remaining before Sorg scored unassisted just 19 seconds later to cut the deficit to 4-3 heading into the second quarter.
The Barons pushed the lead back to two when James scored early in the second quarter, but the Little Giants responded with a three-goal surge. Pippen converted a pass from Austin Clark, Fecht scored unassisted, and McMichael finished a feed from Sorg to tie the game at 6-6 with 9:59 left in the half.
Kerker gave Wabash its first lead of the afternoon with 3:46 remaining before Burke scored in the final minute for Franciscan to send the teams to halftime tied at 7-7.
Wabash seized control in the third quarter. Santiago opened the scoring with a goal assisted by McMichael before Dybedock and Hatchell added goals to give the Little Giants a 10-8 advantage. Clark and Fecht scored in the final two minutes of the period to push the lead to 12-9 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Little Giants continued the surge early in the final period. Hatchell scored less than a minute into the quarter, Kerker added another goal, and Bair converted a pass from Kerker to extend the lead to 15-9. Pippen and McMichael later scored as part of a six-goal fourth quarter that sealed the victory.
Wabash dominated several statistical categories in the win. The Little Giants finished with a 67-26 advantage in shots and a 40-15 edge in shots on goal while collecting 53 ground balls compared to Franciscan's 38. Wabash also controlled the faceoff circle with a 23-11 margin and committed just 14 turnovers compared to 28 for the Barons.
Logan Miltner anchored the faceoff unit for Wabash, winning 22 of 32 draws, while Bryce Poling and Monty Atkins each collected four ground balls to help fuel the possession advantage.
Defensively, Wabash goalkeeper Colin Krekeler played the full 60 minutes and recorded three saves while facing 15 shots on goal. Franciscan goalkeeper John Kirk made 22 saves but faced heavy pressure from the Little Giants' attack throughout the contest.
James led Franciscan with five goals on 12 shots, while Wilson added two goals and Burke finished with two goals and one assist.
Wabash returns to action Wednesday, March 11, with a 7 p.m. road game at Capital University.
