High Point MLAX returns home for showdown with Marist

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men’s lacrosse team is back in Vert Stadium on Saturday at noon to take on Marist.

Live Stats | Live Video | Game Notes

The Panthers (2-3) are coming off back-to-back road victories last week at Virginia and Robert Morris but is still in search of their first home win. The Red Wolves are 1-1 on the season after besting Binghamton 10-8 on Saturday.

Free Admission
This weekend, admission is free to all home High Point University athletics’ events. That also includes the baseball series against Dayton at Willard Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Last Time Out
• The Panthers fell behind 2-0, but stormed back with a 7-1 run to take control and cruise to a 15-10 victory at Robert Morris on Saturday.

• Michael LeClair and Matt Thistle had a hand in all seven of the goals during the game changing run. LeClair’s huge outing resulted in tying the program’s single-game records for assists (five) and points (seven).

• Thistle wasn’t far behind LeClair posting three goals and three assists on the day.

• Dallas Bridle recorded his first hat trick of his career with three goals on just three shots. Likewise, Peyton Garrett added two goals for his first multi-goal performance in the Purple & White.

• Jamie Piluso came off the bench to record 15 face-off wins in 19 attempts while grabbing eight ground balls and scoring a goal.

• Redshirt-senior Adam Seal added seven ground balls as the Panthers earned a 34-21 margin on the ground.

Active National Leaders
• Dan Lomas is second among active players nationally with 136 career goals. The Burlington, Ontario native also ranks 14th in the nation in career points (153).

• Just ahead of Lomas in career points is Matt Thistle with 164 – good for sixth nationally. He’s second in assists (89).

• Jamie Piluso leads all active players in face-offs won (535) and ground balls (270).

LeClair Player of the Week
Michael LeClair earned the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week award by tallying 11 points (4g, 7a) as the Panthers defeated the Cavaliers and the Colonials.

100 Points
Michael LeClair’s next point will be the 100th of his career. He will join Lomas and Thistle as the program’s first three 100-point scorers.

Scouting the Red Wolves
• The Red Wolves finished the 2015 with a 14-4 record and a win in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Similarly, the team was picked to repeat as the MAAC champion in 2016.

• Marist opened the season with a 7-6 four-overtime setback to Air Force before jumping out to a big lead and holding on for a 10-8 victory over Binghamton a week later. Both of those contests were at home so Saturday will mark the first road trip of 2016.

• Senior Joseph Radin was picked to repeat as the MAAC Player of the Year after breaking the league’s record with 55 goals in 2015. This season, Radin has already racked up 10 goals in two games.

• Junior J.D. Recor plays the role of Robin in the Red Wolves attack. A preseason All-MAAC selection, Recor has tallied one goal and three assists this spring after registering 72 points (29g, 43a) last year.

• Another all-conference pick, sophomore Gannon Morrison is off to a quick start this season with three goals and three assists through two contests.

• Redshirt-sophomore Brian Corrigan has earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2016 after stopping 35 of the 50 shots he’s faced (.700).

• The team has gone just 10-41 (24 percent) in the face-off circle through two outings.

All-Time Against Marist
The Purple & White are 0-1 all-time against the Red Wolves.

Last Time They Met
• The Panthers fell behind 10-5 midway through the third quarter in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. last season. However, a flurry of fourth-quarter goals pulled HPU within one in the final minute, but it couldn’t force overtime falling 10-9.

• Matt Thistle led the squad with four goals while Dan Lomas posted three goals and an assist. In the face-off circle, Jamie Piluso went 12-22 with six ground balls.

Next Up
The Panthers remain in the Triad to host Providence on Saturday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m. in Vert Stadium.