Men’s lacrosse: Eagles fly past Comets, 14-7

LISLE, Ill. – The Olivet College men's lacrosse was defeated by Benedictine (Ill.) University, 14-7, this evening at the Village of Lisle-BenU Sports Complex in Lisle, Illinois.

The teams traded goals in the first quarter. Junior James Collins scored the first goal two minutes and 30 seconds into the game. The Eagles answered less than two minutes later. Junior Dakota Badder put Olivet back ahead, 2-1. Benedictine tied the game with 51 seconds left in opening quarter.

The Eagles added another goal early in the second quarter to take their first lead of the game, 3-2. The Comets responded with two straight goals – one each for junior Jack Ranson and sophomore Nino Minaudo – in a two-minute span to take the lead back, 4-3. Benedictine netted the final three goals of the second quarter for a 6-4 lead.

In the third quarter, the Eagles scored the first two goals to go up 8-4. Ranson got a goal back around the midway point of the quarter to cut Olivet's deficit down to three, 8-5. Three straight Benedictine goals pushed its lead back to six, 11-5, at the end of the third stanza.

Minaudo scored for the Comets' only 59 seconds into the fourth quarter to make the score 11-6. The Eagles widened its lead back to eight, 14-6, with three consecutive goals. Sophomore Tyler Polendo netted Olivet's final goal in with 4:14 left in the game.

For the game, Minaudo and Ranson each scored two goals, while Minaudo led the way with six shots. Badder also had two points with one goal and one assist. Junior Ryan McGee played the entire game in goal and collected 19 saves on 44 shots. The 19 saves ties for the second-most in a game in school history.

Olivet will travel to play Carthage (Wis.) College next Tuesday, March 10, at 2 p.m. EST.