MLAX tops Michigan, 14-9, in Florida

Box Score (PDF)

NAPLES, Florida – Midfielder Griffin Fries had a career-high four goals, and the Marquette University men's lacrosse team used an all-around effort to defeat Michigan, 14-9, on Saturday afternoon at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida.

The Golden Eagles (2-2) limited a Michigan offense that entered the day averaging 14.33 goals over its first three games and the MU defense was led by timely saves from goalie Michael Allieri and seven ground balls from USILA All-American Mason Woodward.

"We felt coming off the last two games that we were a much better defense than what we had shown," Marquette head coach Andrew Stimmel said. "We knew those guys were going to step up, it was just a matter of time. Mike Allieri in cage stepped up and made some great saves in some pivotal moments."

"Coach (Jake) Richard, our defensive coordinator, had a great plan to go from man to zone at certain points and I felt like that really helped us. Both teams were tired at points and for us to be able to sit, give up outside shots and dictate the pace of the game, especially playing ahead – it's all a credit to those guys and how we executed the game plan."

In addition to Fries, eight other players scored for the Golden Eagles, including Jake Stegman and Luke Blanc, each of whom had two goals.

Marquette got off to a 5-0 start after Blanc opened the scoring at the 11:56 mark of the first quarter. Fries and Blanc each scored two of MU's first four goals and the Golden Eagles led 6-2 after 15 minutes and entered the half with an 8-5 lead.

The Wolverines (2-2) scored the final three goals of the second quarter but spent much of the afternoon in their defensive end. Ryan Cohen led UM with five points on two goals and three assists, while Hunter Taylor made 13 saves in net.

NOTABLE:

Woodward reached his season averages in ground balls (7) and caused turnovers (2), while adding an assist for his fourth point of the year.
It is the second year of the Southwest Florida Shootout, which also featured a matchup between Virginia and Ohio State in the evening contest.
Saturday marked the first time in his 19 career games that sophomore attackman Bobby O'Grady did not score for Marquette.
Senior attackman Devon Cowan made his season debut and scored MU's final goal with 40 seconds remaining.
Freshman pole Mike Piraino made his NCAA debut and recorded a caused turnover within seconds of entering the game in the midfield.
Zach Granger picked up a season-best four ground balls and caused two turnovers. He also scored his first goal since 2021 in the first quarter to put MU up 5-0.
Graduate transfer Grant Evans was big for MU in the fourth quarter with three faceoff wins on four tries and a pair of ground balls.
The win was Marquette's first over Michigan since a 16-13 victory in the spring of 2019. The Wolverines hold a narrow 3-2 edge in the all-time series.

UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles will face Detroit Mercy on March 5 to conclude their season-long four-game road swing before their next home contest on March 11 against Bellarmine.

Mason Woodward hit his season averages of 7 ground balls, two caused turnovers and a point in the win over Michigan. #WeAreMarquette pic.twitter.com/mqb7Lv9Uyw
— Marquette Lacrosse (@MarquetteMLax) February 25, 2023

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