ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of Northwestern men's lacrosse team tallied its first win on the 2018 season, defeating Carroll University by a final score of 12-4 Saturday afternoon on home turf. With the victory, the Eagles improve to 1-1 on the season.

Freshman Christian Erickson (Buffalo, Minn./Delano) and Sophomore Noah Vander Kooi (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) both came out swinging for the nets, burying two goals a piece to help build a 4-1 lead by the close of the first quarter. With both teams exchanging goals in the second frame, Northwestern still held the advantage as they took a 6-2 lead into the halftime break.

Throughout the third, The Eagles and Pioneers each tallied another goal to lift the score, 7-3, still in the home teams favor. With efforts that didn't quit, UNW went on to net five more goals to CU's one to secure a 12-4 mid-day victory.   

Vander Kooi led all scorers with four goals on 13 shots, while also ending the game with four grounders and two assists. Following suit, Erickson tallied a hat trick of goals on the contest, while Sophomore Keller Stephens (Lino Lakes, Minn./Mounds View) netted two. Senior Allen Hubert (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) also netted two goals for the Eagles, recording his first-ever collegiate goals, respectively.

On the defensive end, Goalkeeper Zach Shockencey (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) played an outstanding game as he tied his career total of 21 saves.

As a team, UNW topped off the afternoon with a grand total 32 shots, 25 ground balls, and went 22-for-23 on clears.

The squad will be back in action Wednesday, March 14, when the host the University of Dubuque. The contest is set to get underway at 3 p.m. For more information, fans should visit www.unweagles.com.