MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin men's lacrosse team defeated Lawrence 19-9 at Fitting Field on Wednesday afternoon. It was just the second meeting between the two programs, as the Vikings began their program last season, with the Falcons now owning both victories in the series. CUW improves to 12-1 overall and 6-1 in NACC play.
 
The Falcons jumped out to an early lead, using a 6-1 run in the first 11 minutes of the contest. Junior Bryce Petersen (Waukesha, Wis.) opened the scoring just one minute into the game on a man-up opportunity. Senior Frank Trewyn (Mukwonago, Wis.) followed 13 seconds later after winning the face-off and taking the ball straight to the net. Petersen added another man-up goal, while sophomore Jackson Knutson (Roseville, Minn.) scored twice and freshman Blane Vrana (Monument, Colo.) netted one to cap the early run.
 
Lawrence responded late in the first quarter and carried momentum into the second, scoring three goals in the period while holding CUW to two. The Falcons still held an 8-5 lead at halftime.
 
Concordia regrouped during the break and responded with a dominant third quarter, scoring eight goals in the period, including the final five unanswered. Freshman Kaleb Weikel (Andover, Monn.) led the charge with three goals in the quarter, recording his fifth hat trick of the season. The Falcons' defense also stepped up, limiting the Vikings to just two goals during the stretch.
 
CUW slowed the pace in the final quarter but still added three more goals, including a man-up score from freshman Brayden Wilson (Pueblo West, Colo.).
 
Petersen also recorded a hat trick, his ninth of the season. Senior Preston Meier (Owatonna, Wis.), sophomore Jack Bradley (Tucson, Ariz.), freshman Gaje Germundson (Nisswa, Minn.), and Wilson each added two goals. Junior Ben Birch (Grafton, Wis.), Vrana, and Meier led the team with two assists apiece. Vrana and Petersen paced the Falcons with five shots on goal each.
 
The Falcons dominated at the face-off X, winning 23 of 32 draws. Trewyn led the effort, winning 17 of 21 face-offs. Junior Jaxon Niemeyer (Tinley Park, Ill.) added five wins in nine attempts, while freshman Nathan Beyer (Duluth, Minn.) went 1-for-2.
 
CUW also controlled the ground ball battle, collecting 38 compared to Lawrence's 21. Trewyn led the Falcons with nine ground balls, while Birch and Meier added six each. Birch also recorded a team-high two caused turnovers.
 
Sophomore Nolan O'Malley (Chicago, Ill.) started in goal for the Falcons and made 12 saves to earn the win, improving to 11-1 on the season. Freshman Connor Jackson (Potomac, Md.) entered the game for the final 4:51 in relief.
 
CUW will return to the road on Saturday to face Beloit. Opening face-off is scheduled for noon in Beloit, Wisconsin.