DUBUQUE, IOWA – The University of Northwestern men's lacrosse team took on the Spartans of Dubuque in a Thursday evening clash. This was the first-ever meeting between the two programs, with UNW coming out on top. The Eagles bested the Spartans by a final score of 12-8.
 
Dubuque was first on the board, scoring a goal in the just under four minutes into the game. Northwestern would answer, however, with a score from Tommy Alderson (Moorhead, Minn./Moorhead) off of a Keller Stephens (Lino Lakes, Minn./Mounds View) assist just three minutes later. Each team would trade blows the remainder of the first quarter to be tied at four goals-a-piece going into the second. The Eagles would close out the first half on a 4-0 run, including an unassisted goal from Mat Anderson (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville) with 26 ticks left in half. Northwestern would hold a 10-6 lead over Dubuque entering intermission.
 
The third quarter was a defensive stalemate between the two teams, with the lone goal being scored by Dubuque as time expired. The final frame looked to be following the same path, until the Spartans would score a goal with six minutes remaining to pull within two. Northwestern would crush the glimpse of hope Dubuque had, with Anderson and Stephens scoring the game-sealing goals to secure the win.
 
Noah Vander Kooi (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) and Anderson led the offensive attack for the Eagles, each scoring netting a trio of goals to go along with two assists, respectively. Stephens scored a pair of goals and added an assist, while Chase Marlenee (Northfield, Minn./Forest Lake) would contribute an additional two goals. In net, Jakob Bakken (Roseville, Minn./Roseville) secured the win with 17 saves.
 
The UNW squad will be back-in-action this Saturday, taking on the Fighting Scots of Monmouth College. For all things Eagle lacrosse, fans can visit www.unweagles.com and follow @unw_lacrosse on Instagram and Twitter.