Experienced Macko provides boost to Marquette offense

John Wagner's overtime score against No. 4 Ohio State on March 2, 2018 lifted the Marquette University men's lacrosse team to one of its biggest wins in program history, an 8-7 triumph in the Midwest Lacrosse Classic in Pontiac, Michigan.

The Golden Eagles were not able to sustain the momentum of that victory and the nationally ranked squad suffered one of its most crushing defeats just two days later to Bellarmine in double overtime. MU led by as many as three goals in regulation and the game was eventually tied with 4:42 remaining on a goal by a little known freshman who hailed from just seven miles southwest of Wisner Stadium.

That attackman, Morgan Macko, went on to put up plenty of stats during his time at Bellarmine, totaling 61 goals and 94 points in his first three seasons. But Macko will now don the Blue and Gold instead of finding his way around defenders wearing it.

The NCAA's decision to grant spring sport athletes an extra season of eligibility gave seniors across the country a chance to play one more season and for Macko, that choice gave him the opportunity to make his way to Milwaukee.

The Orchard Lake, Michigan native, who is pursuing his master's degree in management, said that academics was a strong pull to MU, but the competition of the BIG EAST was an even bigger draw.

"I really want to go against the best. You can't be the best if you don't play the best," Macko said. "That's something that I really wanted to be a part of. I know Marquette has a great history of competing and doing very well in the BIG EAST, and that was something that definitely drew me to Marquette."

For Marquette head coach Andrew Stimmel, Macko has always been an intriguing player.

Morgan Macko joins an experienced offensive unit for 2021 — **The Orchard Lake, Michigan native posted 94 points in three years at Bellarmine**

"Watching his game from afar over the last few years, I've become a really big fan of his," Stimmel said. "He's a proven scorer at the Division I level. If he'd stayed at Bellarmine for this season, he probably would have went down as the first or second all-time scorer in their history."

Even though he spent his undergraduate years at another institution, Macko's Marquette ties run deep.

One of those connections is through former high school teammates. Macko's alma mater Brother Rice in suburban Detroit has produced a number of Golden Eagles, including men's lacrosse graduates Henry Nelson ('16) and K.C. Kennedy ('15).

"I knew there was a pretty well-established pipeline from Brother Rice to Marquette," Macko said. "Even when I was in high school, those were the guys that I looked up to, Henry Nelson and K.C. Kennedy. Being able to follow in their footsteps at Marquette is a really cool thing to be a part of."

In addition, Macko will rejoin another former teammate at MU, redshirt junior goaltender John Hulsman.

"Johnny and I shared a year together at Bellarmine," Macko said. "It's always been a little bit of a competition between us of who can get the better of the other. There's always some light-hearted chirping going back and forth."

While Macko hasn't had much of a chance to get integrated with the offense yet, the coaches know they can plug Macko into virtually any spot in the lineup.

"He's a guy that can do a multitude of things offensively, whether he's playing attack or playing midfield," Stimmel said. "We think he's going to be another guy that we can add into the mix that's just going to help us win games. We're really excited about him."

For Macko, his goal this season is simply to find his role in the offense.

"Going into this year, I just want to be a contributor," Macko said. "I'm not coming in asking for the ball the whole time. I'm going to find my role and do that role well, whether that's playing off-ball, dodging, supporting my teammates. I'm coming in with an open mind."

Morgan Macko — **Macko is the first Brother Rice alumnus at MU since 2016**

With an experienced offense headlined by redshirt seniors Connor McClelland, Ryan Fazio and Peter Henkhaus, Macko knows that this unit is destined for big things.

"There's going to be a lot of goals scored on the offensive end this year," Macko said. "With the guys coming back like Connor McClelland, Ryan Fazio, Petee Henkhaus, those guys provide that steady force on the offense where, as a new guy coming in, they're talking to me and letting me know what the standard is and holding me to it, which is all I can ask for."

In the end, though, Macko's aim this year is one thing: winning.

"A team goal of mine would be to compete in the BIG EAST Championship," Macko said. "I know it's going to be a very competitive conference this year, but I'm looking forward to being a part of that."

Macko and @MUCoachStim on the role Macko is expected to play on the Golden Eagles. #WeAreMarquette pic.twitter.com/Aki6OsK4JN
— Marquette Lacrosse (@MarquetteMLax) November 20, 2020

Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).

Experienced Macko provides boost to Marquette offense

Players Mentioned

Ryan Fazio

Peter Henkhaus

John Hulsman

Connor McClelland

John Wagner

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