Lynn University Fighting Knights Men’s Lacrosse faces off for the first time in history

Senior attack man Joey Bacarella scored the first lacrosse goal in Lynn University Men’s Lacrosse history when he beat Wheeling Jesuit University goalie Joe Amsler in front of the net at the 8:37 mark of the first quarter to give Lynn their first ever 1-0 lead in their first ever game of NCAA Lacrosse, but Wheeling went on a scoring spree to take the game 14-5 in Boca Raton. Lynn University Men’s Lacrosse, also known as the “Blue & White” stopped the first shot attempt in school history when goalkeeper Taylor Ferrino made a save on a shot earlier in the contest with 13:21 remaining in the first quarter. Ferrino had 14 saves in the loss. Wheeling Jesuit University Cardinals Men’s Lacrosse would not be quiet for long, attack man Landon DelPrince made his way into the crease with 6:51 left in the first and fired a shot past Ferrino to tie the game at 1-1. At 2:40 in the first quarter, the Cardinals took a 2-1 lead, but Lynn freshman attack man Brian Kiel evened the game at 2-2 with his first ever collegiate goal with just over a minute left in the quarter. Middle man and fellow freshman Tyler Janvrin got the assist, his first of three in the contest. With 17 seconds left in the first, DelPrince invaded the Lynn defense again to give Wheeling Jesuit a 3-2 lead as the first quarter horn sounded. Lynn also nabbed 10 ground balls in the first 15 minutes of game play; a ground ball is equivalent to a rebound in basketball and leads to offensive possession for the attacking lacrosse team. The Cardinals also recorded the first ever penalty in Lynn University history when Wheeling Jesuit’s middle man Bryce Brochu got tangled up and knocked down a Lynn player at midfield. The penalty seemed to be the ignition switch to even more intense, aggressive play for Wheeling Jesuit. Lynn had zero penalties in the first half, but Wheeling Jesuit was rough and rowdy setting the tone with six penalties. The Cardinals shut-out the Fighting Knights 2-0 in the second quarter to take a 5-2 lead going into halftime. The halftime festivities included a Boca Jets 13-and-under exhibition. “I want eight goals in the second half,” Lynn Coach Brian Kingsbury told his players just before the third quarter started. But Wheeling Jesuit scored five out of six goals in the third quarter to push the game out of reach at 10-3 going into the fourth. The Cardinals took advantage of a winded Lynn team by incorporating the wheel play over and again on offensive possessions led by superb passing by the Wheeling Jesuit players. Tyler Johnson had two goals in the third for the Cardinals and DelPrince added his second of the game combined with winners by Aaron Gutentag and Brian Frank. Lynn got on the board late at the end of the third to avenge the shutout when Daniel Egan broke free for a scoring opportunity and connected past Amsler, who recorded eight saves in the game. In the final period, Wheeling doubled Lynn 4-2 on goals scored. The Cardinlas were led by Tyler Wickett’s two goals in the fourth a, Bryce Bochu and Jared Baranowski, who each had a goal apiece. Brian Kiel connected again for Lynn for his Fighting Knights leading second goal of the game and season, and also had eight total shots on goal, and Harrison Lynch scored Lynn’s last goal unassisted. The Lynn University Fighting Knights played their first game in program history at neighboring Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton while the finishing touches are being put on Brian Campbell Stadium at Lynn University. Brian Campbell Stadium opens on March 30, with a 12 p.m. game against Colorado Mesa. Next up for Lynn is a March 5, matchup against Notre Dame de Namur at 7 p.m., Pope John Paul II High School, 4001 N. Military Trail in Boca Raton. Admission is free.