MEQUON, Wis. – With a home playoff game on the line, the Concordia University Wisconsin men's lacrosse team rose to the occasion in Saturday's regular season finale, defeating MSOE 16-12 to clinch the third seed in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Tournament.
Earlier in the day, Lake Forest's win over Illinois Tech added pressure to the Falcons, who had already secured a postseason berth but needed a victory to earn home-field advantage in the opening round. CUW answered with a resounding performance, led by senior Caleb Ruger (Grafton, Wis.), who delivered a career-best 10-point outing.
The win improved CUW to 10-7 overall and 8-3 in conference play, marking the fourth straight season with double-digit victories. It also extended the Falcons' win streak to six games and secured a 6-2 home record at Fitting Field.
CUW started strong, edging ahead 5-4 after the opening quarter. Ruger opened the scoring off a feed from junior Preston Meier (Owatonna, Minn.), followed by an unassisted goal from senior Max Esposito (Gaitherburg, Md.). Sophomore Bryce Petersen (Waukesha, Wis.) tallied a man-up goal before Ruger scored again with help from sophomore Tyler Husby (Eagan, Minn.). Esposito capped the quarter with another man-up goal, assisted by freshman Jackson Knutson (Roseville, Minn.).
Momentum shifted in the second quarter as MSOE rattled off seven unanswered goals, including six in the frame, to take a commanding 10-5 halftime lead.
The Raiders extended their lead to 11-6 early in the third, but from there, CUW took complete control. The Falcons exploded for seven goals in the final 4:29 of the quarter to seize a 13-11 lead and flip the game on its head.
Ruger ignited the comeback with back-to-back goals, the first assisted by Meier, the second set up by sophomore Ben Birch (Grafton, Wis.) after a loose ball pickup. Senior Gio Nowotarski (Reading, Pa.) added two quick goals, first from Meier and then from Ruger. Esposito tied the game at 11-11 with 43 seconds left in the third, then gave CUW the lead 20 seconds later. Meier added a final dagger just before the buzzer, assisted again by Ruger.
With full momentum in their favor, the Falcons closed it out in the fourth, completing a 10-0 run with three more goals, all scored by Ruger, with assists from senior Brett Dowler (Tyrone, Ga.), Petersen, and Meier.
CUW's dominant second half sealed the 16-12 victory. Ruger finished with a career-high 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists), while Esposito added five goals and Meier contributed a goal and four assists. Junior Frank Trweyn (Mukwonago, Wis.) led CUW with eight faceoff wins, while Jaxon Hill (Bismarck, N.D.) and Michael Lange (Brookfield, Wis.) each scooped up five ground balls.
On defense, Petersen, Lange, and senior Zach Wilder (Midland, Mich.) each recorded three caused turnovers. Sophomore goalie Travis Marquardt (Brookfield, Wis.) made 13 saves in the win.
Statistically, the Falcons controlled the contest — outshooting MSOE 35-25 in shots on goal, forcing 18 turnovers while committing just 11, and converting 20-of-21 clears. CUW also excelled on special teams, going a perfect 3-for-3 on extra-man opportunities and limiting the Raiders to just 1-for-4.
The Falcons will now host Illinois Tech in the NACC Tournament Quarterfinals on Saturday, a familiar matchup, as the two programs have squared off in the opening round each of the last two seasons.
