HPU MLAX Panthers host Terriers in 2016 home opener

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men’s lacrosse team opens its 2016 home slate on Tuesday at 4 p.m. against Boston University in Vert Stadium.
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The Panthers (0-1) posted a 6-2 record at home in 2015, meanwhile the Terriers (2-0) struggled to a 2-5 mark on the road last spring.

Last Time Out
Senior Dan Lomas opened the scoring three minutes into Friday night’s contest at No. 3 Duke. However, the Blue Devils answered with four straight tallies to build a three-goal advantage. The Panthers cut into the lead three times, but couldn’t get any closer than two as the home team took a 7-4 edge at halftime. After the break, Duke came out on fire with a 8-0 run to build a 15-4 lead en route to a 17-6 victory.

Lomas finished the night with two goals while junior Dallas Bridle scored his first goal in the Purple & White after transferring from Denver this winter. Senior Matt Thistle and sophomores Peyton Garrett and Connor Robinson accounted for the other goals for HPU. In goal, sophomore Zach Tuell notched 12 saves and three ground balls in defeat.

Three-Headed Attack
• Seniors Dan Lomas and Matt Thistle along with junior Michael LeClair form the nation’s eighth-highest scoring returning trio after combining for 152 points in 2015. The trio has accounted for 277 points of HPU’s 528 points over the last two seasons.

• All three were among top-five scorers in the SoCon last season. Thistle finished second in the league with 3.47 ppg, while LeClair was third (3.12 ppg) and Lomas placed fifth (2.94 ppg). Thistle and Lomas finished first and second in 2014.

Active National Leaders
• Senior Dan Lomas is second among active players nationally with 123 career goals. The Burlington, Ontario native also ranks 13th in the nation in career points (138).

• Just ahead of Lomas in career points is senior Matt Thistle with 148 – good for ninth nationally. He’s second in assists (80).

• Senior Jamie Piluso leads all active players in face-offs won (519) and ground balls (262).

A Look at the Terriers
• The Terriers were picked to finish sixth in the Patriot League after finishing the 1015 season with a 6-8 overall record.

• Boston University has played two home games this spring earning a 9-5 win over Providence and an 8-5 victory over UMass Lowell.

• Junior Sam Talkow was selected to the preseason All-Patriot League team and has lived up to the hype this season. The face-off specialist is 26-of-33 on the year (.788) and has already racked up 20 ground balls.

• Due to the dominance in the face-off circle, the Terriers own a 73-45 edge in shots taken over their opponents this season.

• Led by junior Dominick Calisto, the team’s defense has been opportunistic averaging 14 caused turnovers per game.

• Offensively, Boston has been led by freshman James Burr (6g, 1a) and sophomore Jack Wilson (4g, 3a). The duo has combined for 10 goals while no other Terrier has tallied more than one on the year.

All-Time Series with Boston University
Tuesday’s meeting will be the first ever between the Panthers and the Terriers.

Next Up
The Purple & White continue their tough non-conference schedule with a trip to No. 4 Maryland on Saturday with face-off at 2 p.m. in College Park, Md.