The Mesa State men’s lacrosse team kept their win streak alive and home record spotless with wins over Grand Canyon University and Lindenwood University. The Mavericks beat the Lopes at Walker Field 6-2 Friday evening. The Mavs then faced the Lions Sunday afternoon. The game against the Lions was closer, but the result was a 7-4 win for the Mavs.
The Mavs could have had a goal within the first five minutes against the Lopes, but the post looked to conspire against the host team. The first goal of the game went to the visitors after Mesa State goalkeeper Brad Brandenburg left the crease to get the ball, which enabled a GCU player to nab the ball from the goalie and fire into an open net.
The second quarter proved to be more friendly for the Mavs. MSC’s Logan Klossner found the score sheet after he fired the ball over the GCU keeper’s head, off the post, and across the line for the Maverick’s first goal of the game. The only other highlight of the half is when Brandenburg brought the ball out of his half and lost his shoe with 5:57 left in the second quarter. The lack of scoring did not worry coach A.J. Stevens.
“We knew those goals would start falling, the pipes were saving them in the first half,” Stevens said.
The second half was much more appealing than the first. MSC’s Nick Cosgrove and Giuliano Sanchez each scored a goal within a minute of each other. Both goals were products of quick passes and quicker shots. Dillon Bernad scored a goal and Jojo Milosevic scored twice. Milosevic’s final goal essentially killed off the visiting ‘Lopes. GCU grabbed a late consolation goal with 30 seconds to go in the game.
“Part of our game plan, because we’re such a young team, is we want to play controlled confident lacrosse,” Stevens said. “The third win in a row just builds our confidence. The team is really buying into the system.”
The Mavs looked extend the programs first win streak against the 10-5 LU Lions.
The first quarter started off slowly for both teams. Shots from both sides were blocked or off target. The first goal came to the visitors with little more than a minute left in the quarter. MSC’s Trace Wollner grabbed an equalizer with four seconds left in the first quarter. Tony Nelson passed the ball to Wollner from behind the goal, Wollner received it, and fired under the keeper’s right armpit.
“We are not a real high scoring team, we just go about our business and take what the defense gives us,” Stevens said.
Chances increased in the second quarter. A minute and a half into the quarter, Trevor Ecton fired a screamer past the keeper to give the Mavs their first lead of the game. LU grabbed an equalizer with just under seven minutes to go before half time. Wollner struck again, but this time scored with 33 seconds left in the half to give the home side a lead. Wollner intercepted a pass from a defender while the keeper was out of the goal. He scored on an empty net.
Wollner finished up his hat trick in the third quarter. His effort was a show of strength and determination as he fought through multiple defenders to get his shot off.
MSC’s Dakota Klossner also grabbed a goal in the quarter. The Mavs gave up two goals off some lacks defending.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Mavs, thanks to improved defending and two goals from Andrew Kurth.
“We have strong defense and adjust depending on what the needs are,” Stevens said.
The team takes on Westminster College Friday at Walker Field at 7 p.m.

jdthomas@mesastate.edu