The Monmouth College Fighting Scots men’s lacrosse team is off to a 3-0 start for the first time in program history. With this being the third season of head coach, Chris Klaiber, the team is confident that they now have the skill and knowledge to find great success this year. The Scots have great talent from all four years of athletes and are continuing to work hard with eyes on a long playoff run after a successful regular season.
Last Friday, Monmouth traveled to Waukesha, Wis., to take on the Carroll University Pioneers for a faceoff under the lights. With a school record of 76 shots, the Scots found the net 11 times in a 11-7 win. Just 25 seconds into the game, Thomas Van Alstine found the net to give the Scots the lead for the rest of the game. Liam Meyer punched in his first of three goals just three minutes after. Six minutes later, Chase Cranford tagged his first of two goals on the day. Just before the end of the first quarter, Senior Shane Herkert scored a man up goal to end the first quarter 4-0. Jeff Knapp scored his only goal of the day at the start of the second period before Van Alstine, Meyer, and Cranford finished the day with a combined six more goals to finish off the day.
On Tuesday, the Scots used their momentum to travel to Dubuque, Iowa, and take on the Clarke University Pride. Knapp punched in the first goal of the day less than a minute into the game and then the Scots went on to score seven more in the first quarter. Cranford scored the next two goals before Mitch Perez and Van Alstine scored their first of the day.
Joe Incorvati and Meyer were also able to get goals to help the Scots finish 15-2. Gordon Kiesgen played a big role on the day by winning 18 of the 19 faceoffs and achieving the Midwest Conference Defensive player of the week.
The Scots host Wabash College on Saturday, February 29. at 2pm with high hopes of going 4-0.
Jeff Knapp - Contributing Writer