Top-Ranked Reinhardt Suffocates No. 6 Madonna (Mich.), 11-4

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

WALESKA, Ga. – The three-time defending national champion Eagles started the 2020 campaign with a visit from familiar non-conference foe No. 6 Madonna (Mich.), and hometown Reinhardt opened up the contest with a 4-0 first quarter and never looked back in an 11-4 victory on Saturday afternoon.

After an 8-2 score at intermission, the pace in the second half was more of a defensive battle as the top-ranked Eagles cruised to a 1-0 overall record inside Ken White Field at University Stadium.

"Very good first win for the guys," head coach John Snow said. "I thought our defense played extremely well, and to limit Madonna to four goals says a lot about our lock-down defense. Matt Webb was great in the cage, and our defensive midfielders [who are both freshmen] played really well, and Hunter did a great job at the face-off. Offensively, we dominated time of possession and shared the ball very nicely. We had balanced scoring, and I am very proud of freshman Riley Walker, who led the way with four goals in his first collegiate game.

"We have a lot of work to do to get better, but very happy with the effort and the relentless play my guys showed today."

Riley Walker broke onto the scene in a big way Saturday in front of the hometown fans, as the freshman notched three scores in the first quarter – including the opening goal for the Eagles at 8:17. He would find the back of the net two more times in the period, following an unassisted goal by Dillan Bousquet, to make it 4-0.

Gavin Banks would join the action with two scores of his own (6-0 lead) before the Crusaders netted back-to-back goals to get their deficit back to four at 6-2. Bousquet would then find Tyler Chavous twice before heading to the locker room with an 8-2 advantage.

Banks would hit his third shot of the afternoon less than 60 seconds into the third period, and he was followed up minutes later by another goal from Chavous. Madonna would pull within 10-3 before the end of the third stanza, but Walker hit his fourth attempt with just over 10 minutes remaining.

The Crusaders would scratch across one more goal, but they couldn't net any shots the rest of the way to get within striking distance.

Madonna had 20 turnovers and the Eagles forced 10 of them. Reinhardt dominated ground balls with a 38-18 advantage.

Individually, Hunter Scott picked up a half-dozen grounders and three other teammates scooped up five apiece.

Matt Webb went wire-to-wire and made eight saves in the win. 

Scoring Summary
Goals: Riley Walker 4; Gavin Banks 3; Tyler Chavous 3; Dillan Bousquet 1;
Assists: Bousquet 6; Kyle Banks 1; Chavous 1;

The nation's best team now travels to Florida in a week to take on No. 5 Keiser in a 6 p.m. matchup on March 6. 

For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram. 

For more information on Reinhardt Men's Lacrosse, please click here.