WAUKESHA, WIS. – In what was a historic night for the University of Northwestern men's lacrosse team, the Eagles put together an outstanding performance against Carroll University Saturday afternoon. Concluding the program's first-ever competition, UNW fell short in an 8-9 heartbreaking battle.

The Eagles got on the board early, as freshman attacker Keller Stephens (Lino Lakes, Minn./Mounds View ) sank the team's first goal at the 2:00 mark to give the team a 1-0 lead. Though the Pioneers went on to drop the next goal to tie the game 1-1, UNW's Brady Minich (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) managed to net another to help boost a 2-1 advantage at the close of the first quarter.

Throughout the second period, Carroll went on a strong attack as they buried five goals against Northwestern's defense to gain a 6-2 lead heading into intermission.

Taking on the third, Minich found his way to the net once again to drop another for the Eagles – which raised the score 3-6. CU then posted the next goal, but UNW answered back by knocking in two more to trail 5-7. During the fourth quarter, Minch, Noah Vander Kooi (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo), and Stephens were able to sink one more goal apiece for Northwestern, but as time gave way, the Pioneers managed to fend off the Eagles long enough to clinch the 9-8 season-opening victory.

UNW's game leaders on the mid-day match were Minich (4 goals, 1 assist), Vander Kooi (2 goals, 1 assist), Stephens (2 goals), and Derek Stone (Ramsey, Minn./PACT Charter) (2 assists). As a collective group, the Eagles recorded an impressive 40 shots and 19 shots on goal.

The purple and gold will play next on Saturday, February 25, against Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Draw time is set for 3 p.m. Fans can stay up-to-date on the men's lacrosse season by visiting www.unweagles.com and by following @UNW_Lacrosse on Twitter.