Bowling Green lacrosse is 1-2 after splitting two games with Indiana opponents Saturday at Bobcat Stadium, defeating Leo, 11-8, but falling to South Bend Adams, 13-8.
In 40-degree weather, all three teams had to battle high winds and rain, making passing and controlling the ball difficult.
“It was a fun day. We had to battle the elements some,” BG coach Devin Radcliff said. “The kids came out, played two games, and there are a lot of things we have to work on, but we lost one.
“We wanted to get the second one there to get to 2-1, but all-in-all, not a bad weekend, but we’re only three games in.”
In the opener against Leo, located just outside Fort Wayne, BG senior attack Evan Brandt scored five first half goals, finishing with six, and junior attack Reece Rath had two goals and three assists to lead the Bobcats.
“They are obviously phenomenal players,” Radcliff said. “Everybody knows who they are. They can draw the best of everybody we play, and they are gamechangers.
“We try to find some creative ways to try and get them the ball because they can impact the game, and get them running on both sides of the field, not just on offense but on defense as well.”
BG had a 29-17 shot advantage by halftime, and were leading 11-6 after three quarters, but the Lions soon realized who the Bobcats’ scorers were and started collapsing on them. BG finished with a 47-34 advantage in shots.
Senior midfielder Andrew Kisor and senior attack A.J. Clemens scored one goal apiece for the Bobcats, and Brandt and senior midfielder Michael Kisor led the Bobcats with six ground balls apiece.
BG won 11-of-22 draws with senior midfielder Michael Robinette taking all but two. Robinette was 11-for-19 and one draw ended without either team taking possession. BG senior goalie Hunter Sockman had 12 saves.
Junior midfielder Isaiah Stoller led Leo with three goals, one assists and seven ground balls and freshman attack Titus Stoller scored three goals with four GB.
Sophomore midfielder Ben Wiedfeldt scored twice, senior midfielder Justin Geverink had an assist, and senior attack Luke Adams had five GB for the Lions.
In the loss to Adams, Brandt had four goals and an assist, Reece had three goals and an assist, Michael Kisor had one goal and junior midfielder J.T. Webb had an assist for BG.
The Bobcats were outshot 46-24, but Sockman had 19 saves for the Bobcats. Andrew Kisor had seven GB, senior defenseman Justin Becker had six, and Michael Kisor had five.
The Bobcats had a hard time shutting down senior attacks Ethan Breiler and Samuel Troxel, who combined to scored seven goals in the first half as the Eagles opened a 10-5 lead.
Brandt scored two quick goals to open the second half, both assisted by Clemens, to bring BG back to within three, 10-7, and the Bobcats’ defense only allowed Breiler and Troxel to score a combined two goals in the second half.
“We made a couple adjustments — they had a couple really good ballplayers, really good shooters,” Radcliff said.
“We had to keep them from getting some shots off. Our players and did a good job playing ‘D’ in the second half. Credit to our players.”
However, in the fourth quarter, Adams outshot BG, 11-4, thanks to the Bobcats’ inability to sustain possession.
Breiler finished with five goals and two assists, Troxel had four goals and an assist, sophomore attack Bly Johnson had two goals and an assist, and sophomore attack Maxwell Middlebrook scored one goal for the Eagles.
