Hot Start Propels Ravens Over Quakers on Senior Night

The Anderson University men's lacrosse team's (6-8, 3-1) hot start propelled them over Earlham College (6-7, 1-3) by a score of 7-5 during Thursday's Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference (HCLC) matchup at Macholtz Stadium. The Ravens extended their winning streak against the Quakers to six.

Prior to the contest, Anderson recognized seniors Justin Bemis, Mason Bratcher and Bryce Johnson for Senior Night.

COACH JACOB ASHTON'S COMMENTS

• It was a strong start going into the half. 
• We got lackadaisical in the third quarter and let Earlham back in. 
• We took advantage of Earlham's penalties early on and capitalized.
• Kenny Bentley dominated at the face of X all night and had a great goal early.
• We made some mistakes early in the clearing game, but cleaned that up and improved in the ride game, which led to Earlham turnovers.
• We knew Earlham had a solid defensive group, so we had to work for our shots. 
• Abram Zimmerman continues to show growth on offense, and Travis Moon has been great in the clearing game. 
• Bryce Johnson did a nice job in the middle of the field and Mason Bratcher was a force on defense.
• It was a great win for the seniors on Senior Night.

SENIOR COMMENTS

• Bryce Johnson – We started off really fast on offense and defense. We were working hard on the ground balls to clears. We were able to get up early by putting a couple of goals in the back of the net. We just came out fast and strong and we couldn't have asked for anything better on Senior Night. I'm really proud of how the guys came out and just worked hard. It really shows how hard we've worked the entire year and it seems like it's finally all coming together. In my time here, I've learned about hard work and going through challenge. Being a student-athlete is not easy. I'm able to come out here every day after a full day of classes and push the guys as hard as I can and they push me. I've just learned a lot about my character, hard work and dedication to building something. I've definitely learned a lot about myself; I've started a great foundation for my future and learned how to be a great man.
• Mason Bratcher – I thought we started out strong. We came and put a few goals on [Earlham]. We went up, but then we kind of slacked off and let them come back a bit. But, the thing I've noticed about this team is that we don't lack passion and that definitely helped put us over the top for [Thursday's] win. I want to say thank you to Coach Ashton for supporting me for these four years. I've had to miss some practices for Nursing and he's always been supportive of that. I want to thank my teammates for putting the work in and making this Senior Night happen. Not a lot of players can say they won on Senior Night, but I'm thankful to come out of the program and say I won my Senior Night. This year has been interesting competing on offense for the first time. Before the Heidelberg game, coach asked me to pick up a short stick and start practicing with it and I did. I came in the Heidelberg game and scored two goals for us. We lost the game, but from then on out, I started practicing on offense. To this day, I have 24 points. That's just an unbelievable experience for me because I've played defense my whole career since seventh grade. To go from playing defense my entire life to playing offense as well, that was the highlight of my career and will stay with me for the rest of my life.
• Justin Bemis – I'm definitely sad that I couldn't play and partake in [Thursday's] game [due to injury], but Coach Ashton did me a great honor and respect by allowing me to put my pads on and take photos with my family; I know that meant a lot to both of my parents. I was just happy to be here cheering on my teammates and keeping the energy up on the sidelines. Energy is a huge part of the game, because when you are out there moving and bustling and you hear your teammates cheering, you keep pushing harder than you thought you could. In my time here, practicing out here, I can always see a quote [from a banner at the home baseball field] that says "There is no greater love than to lay your life down for another man," and honestly that sums things up. Being part of a team, working as a bigger unit and knowing that you're part of something that is bigger than you, it just teaches you to do better and be better. It keeps you accountable and it will change your life no matter what age you are.

RECORD BOOK UPDATES

• Mason Bratcher - 8 Caused turnovers (T-3rd Most)
• Spencer Pruden - 5 Goals Against (T-10th Fewest)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Ravens jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes, with goals from Kenny Bentley and Lars Kiefer.
• The Ravens added 3 more goals in the final 16 minutes of the half. Lars Kiefer scored his second of the day, and Abram Zimmerman added two of his own.
• Earlham trimmed the deficit to 5-3 to start the third.
• The Quakers won the second half by a score of 5-2. Robert Okougbo and Jordan Garcia each scored a goal for the Ravens
• The Ravens were 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) on Man-Up opportunities
• Anderson converted 24-of-31 (77.4 percent) clears, while Earlham cleared 23-of-30 (76.6 percent) attempts.
• The faceoff battle was closely fought all game, but the Ravens came out on top, winning 9-of-16 (56.2 percent) faceoffs
• Anderson outshot Earlham 35-25.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Abram Zimmerman – 2 Goals, 7 Shots, 7 Ground Balls, 1 Caused Turnover
• Lars Kiefer – 2 Goals, 1 Assist, 2 Shots
• Kenny Bentley – 1 Goal, 3 Shots, 9 Ground Balls, 2 Caused Turnovers
• Jordan Garcia – 1 Goal, 5 Shots, 3 Ground Balls, 2 Caused Turnovers
• Robert Okougbo – 1 Goal, 6 Shots, 1 Ground Ball
• Will Harriman – 2 Assists, 2 Shots, 1 Ground Ball
• Rick Kaufman – 1 Assist, 8 Shots, 1 Ground Ball
• Mason Bratcher – 2 Shots, 11 Ground Balls, 8 Caused Turnovers
• Dallas Hermanson – 2 Ground balls, 3 Caused Turnovers
• Alex Alaniz – 2 Ground balls, 2 Caused Turnovers
• Bryce Johnson – 1 Ground ball, 2 Caused Turnovers
• Travis Moon – 2 Ground Balls
• Spencer Pruden – Win (6-8), Saved 7-of-12 (58.3 percent), 4 Ground Balls

UP NEXT

The Ravens challenge the Transylvania Pioneers (8-6, 4-0) in the HCLC regular-season finale on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at Macholtz Stadium.