MONMOUTH, ILL. – The University of Northwestern men's lacrosse team wrapped up their weekend road trip taking on the Monmouth College Fighting Scots to remain undefeated on the season. This was the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs, second as Midwest Lacrosse Conference (MLC) opponents, with UNW winning the previous three match-ups. The Eagles were able to continue their win streak by defeating the Scots 12-8.
 
The first quarter was slow-going for both offenses to start out the game, with each team firing shots-on-goal but failing to find the back of the net. The Fighting Scots broke the scoring drought at the eight minute mark on an extra man opportunity to take the lead. Northwestern would answer back just over a minute later from a Keller Stephens (Lino Lakes, Minn./Mounds View) unassisted goal. Noah Vander Kooi (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) started the scoring for UNW early in the second quarter, as Northwestern outscored Monmouth 3-2 in the period to go up 4-3 at the half.
 
Each team scored a trio of goals in the third period, including a pair from Stephens for UNW to hold the one goal lead entering the final frame. Northwestern dominated the final quarter, outscoring Monmouth 5-2 to secure the win. Mat Anderson (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville) and Chase Marlenee (Northfield, Minn./Forest Lake) came in clutch for the Eagles down the stretch, both scoring two goals in the fourth, respectively.
 
Stephens was the offensive leader on the afternoon, amassing four goals and an assist. Anderson totaled three goals, Marlenee finished with two goals and an assist and Vander Kooi finished with his lone goal to go along with two assists. Jakob Bakken (Roseville, Minn./Roseville) was a defensive wall in the net, collecting 27 saves with a 77.1% save percentage.
 
Northwestern will host Benedictine University on Thursday, March 9 for their first home contest of the season. For all things Eagle lacrosse, fans can visit www.unweagles.com and follow @unw_lacrosse on Instagram and Twitter.