The Mercyhurst men’s lacrosse team defeated the Wheeling Jesuit University Cardinals, 10-9, on senior day Saturday at Tullio field.

Mercyhurst clinched a spot in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament with the win.

Within just a minute of play, Mercyhurst found itself on the board after a goal from senior Trevor Vargo. Wheeling Jesuit answered a minute later after Tyler Buchan scored. Three more goals from Wheeling put Mercyhurst behind 4-2 at the end of the first.

Wheeling pulled away midway through the second quarter after a goal from Bryce Brochu. Matt Lee gave the Cardinals their sixth goal with two minutes remaining in the half.

With a minute remaining in the half, junior Corey Becker tallied one of his three goals. Vargo put Mercyhurst back within two going into halftime, 6-4, the Cardinals leading.

“We stuck to the original game plan, cleaned things up on the field and put in more effort,” Vargo said.

Just 16 seconds into the third quarter, Junior Shane Endres scored, cutting Wheeling’s lead to one. However, Wheeling answered with another Buchan goal.

Vargo ended the third quarter with back-to-back goals, giving Mercyhurst their first lead since their first goal.

With 13:21 remaining in the fourth quarter, Becker scored a hat trick, making the score 10-8.

The game ended, 10-9, after Wheeling scored in the last four minutes.

Vargo’s career-high five goals gave him 25 for the season. He also recorded his 14th assist of the year.

“It was nice to be able to play my last game on Tullio Field and end it on a good note,” Vargo said.

With the win, Mercyhurst improves to an 8-5 overall record and 5-2 in the ECAC.
Mercyhurst enters the ECAC tournament as the no. 3 seed. The team will face Lake Erie College in the first game of the tournament. The Lakers fell to the Storm, 9-7, three weeks ago.

“It’s good to get another shot at them. Hopefully we get some revenge. It will be a good game,” Vargo said.