The Battle for #1 Lived Up to the Hype

Waleska, GA - The Eagles have a tremendous history in NAIA Men's Lacrosse and this year is just carrying on that tradition, however, the team had a loss earlier in the season to a very talented Indiana Tech team that felt like this team might not have all the pieces to match past season successes. Reinhardt has won five straight NAIA titles so the goal of just being the best team out there is what this program reaches for each season.

The one loss to Indiana Tech exposed a few things in the team - one of which was the ability to hold a very good team from scoring. Fast-forward a few weeks later to the Keiser game and the Eagles proved that they have answered the issues that caused the single loss to Indiana Tech. Defensively, this team was just plain awesome today and they controlled a very good team in the Keiser University Seahawks. Everyone knows the Eagles can score goals with talented players like Cameron Cochran, Carter Maurice, Brady Hanak, JR Sess, and the list goes on. This team is very deep in players that can put the ball in the back of the net. What the team proved today is that they can shut down a team defensively with superior goalkeeping and strong, tough defensive play to not allow good shots on goal. 

Liam Wright had a great game for the Eagles recording 18 saves on 24 shots by the Seahawks. Keiser is full of players that can score just like the Eagles, however, it was Wright and the defense around him that won this game for the Eagles. Often the stats do not recognize the play that happens to prevent goals from being scored, but players like Matt Potvin, Jacob Pinson, Jason Marx, Ezequel Ceant, Kollin Etheredge, and several others allowed the offense to do what they needed to do to pick up the win in the battle of #1 Keiser vs #2 Reinhardt.

The Eagles were able to lead 3 of the 4 quarters of the game as they would outscore Keiser 3-0 in the first, 3-1 in the second, and 4-3 in the third. The fourth quarter was the only quarter where the Seahawks would better the Eagles scoring 2 goals to zero, but the damage was already done in the previous three quarters and the Eagles held on the final minutes of this game to take the win.

Leading the way offensively for the Eagles was Cameron Cochran with 3 goals. Brady Hanak and Carter Maurice had two goals a piece and Benji Shackleford, Wyatt Maddox, and JR Sess each had a goal to get the 10 total points. Cochran also had 7 ground balls in the game. Ezequel Ceant led the way in ground balls for the Eagles with a total of 8.

Although the Eagles were able to control the entire game and had a significant 4-goal lead at the end, it should not be seen as an effortless game. The game was very physical and played at a high level. Players were getting banged up on both sides as you would expect in a game between two tough and talented teams that want to win every game they play. Depending on how the NAIA Tournament shapes up, this is a match-up that we could see again either in a semi-final or championship game. Today's game was very much like a championship game and gives fans something to look forward to as May and the National Tournament edge closer.

Next up for the Eagles is a road game with Point next Saturday and then it is on to the AAC Tournament which will be played at Cumberlands. The AAC has three of the NAIA Top 5 teams and four of the Top 10 teams so just getting out of the AAC Tournament to the National Tournament is a huge accomplishment itself. The Eagles will enjoy this win over Keiser through the weekend and then start its focus on the next game looking to keep the NAIA National Championship going.