LISLE, Ill. – The Concordia University Wisconsin men's lacrosse team defeated Benedictine University, 20–4, on the road Saturday afternoon. The win marked CUW's largest margin of victory over the Eagles and moved the all-time series to 14–3 in favor of the Falcons. With the victory, the Royal Blue and Grey improve to 7–1 overall and 1–1 in NACC play.
 
Benedictine held a narrow 3–2 lead after the first quarter. Junior Bryce Petersen (Waukesha, Wis.) and freshman Blane Vrana (Monument, Colo.) accounted for the Falcons' two goals in the opening period.
 
CUW took control in the next two quarters, shutting out Benedictine 14–0 over the next 30 minutes of play. The Falcons erupted for nine goals in the second quarter alone. Petersen scored three times to record his sixth hat trick of the season, while sophomore Jackson Knutson (Roseville, Minn.) added four goals to secure a hat trick of his own, including two unassisted tallies. Freshman Brayden Wilson (Pueblo West, Colo.) and senior Frank Trewyn (Mukwonago, Wis.) also found the back of the net, with Trewyn's goal marking his first of the season on his only shot attempt.
 
The Falcons' offensive surge continued after halftime, as four players combined for five goals in the third quarter. Freshman Kaleb Weikel (Andover, Minn.) scored his first goal of the game, while Vrana and Petersen each added another. Petersen's goal came during a man-up opportunity for CUW. Knutson scored twice more in the period, finishing the game with a career-high six goals.
 
In the fourth quarter, sophomore Griffin Simons (Palatine, Ill.) added his third goal of the season. Sophomore Will Downs (Northfield, Minn.) followed with three goals to record the first hat trick of his career. Benedictine scored once in the final quarter, but the Falcons' lead proved insurmountable.
 
Knutson led the Falcons offensively with six goals and three assists for a game-high nine points. The sophomore also led the team with nine shots, including eight on goal. Trewyn, Knutson, senior Preston Meier (Owatonna, Minn.), and sophomore Eric Plasencia (Chula Vista, Calif.) each recorded four ground balls.
 
Trewyn led the Falcons at the faceoff spot, going 6-of-14. Junior Jaxon Niemeyer (Tinley Park, Ill.) won four of nine faceoffs, while Plasencia won his lone draw.
 
Defensively, sophomore Parker Lewis (Omaha, Neb.) and Bradley each recorded a team-high two caused turnovers.
 
Sophomore Nolan O'Malley (Chicago, Ill.) started in goal for CUW and made nine saves for a .750 save percentage. Freshman Connor Jackson (Potomac, Md.) played the final 11:52 and recorded five saves for a .833 save percentage. O'Malley earned the win, improving to 6–1 on the season.
 
The Falcons return to action Wednesday, March 25, when they host Illinois Tech. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Fitting Field.