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John Carroll University Athletics

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Monica McKie

Men's Lacrosse Logan Potosky, Staff Writer

2022 OAC Championship Preview: Men's Lacrosse Hoping History Repeats at BW

John Carroll Men’s Lacrosse is seeking a sixth straight OAC crown. 
BEREA, Ohio -- For the second straight season, John Carroll Men's Lacrosse (15-2, 8-1 OAC) will be facing Baldwin Wallace (14-3, 9-0 OAC) in the OAC Tournament Championship Game in Berea.

The Blue Streaks, who are the second seed in the OAC Tournament, defeated No. 3 Ohio Northern 15-4 in an OAC Semifinal on Thursday at Don Shula Stadium. John Carroll is playing for its sixth consecutive conference tournament title.

The Yellow Jackets, the top seed in the tournament, defeated No. 5 Capital 15-5 in an OAC Semifinal on Thursday. After a 1-3 start to the season, Baldwin Wallace has won 13 consecutive games.

In last year's OAC Tournament Championship, the Blue & Gold emerged victorious by a score of 12-6, avenging a one-goal loss in the regular season at the hands of the Yellow Jackets. John Carroll also defeated Baldwin Wallace in the 2018 OAC Tournament Championship Game.

This year, Baldwin Wallace defeated the Blue and Gold in their only regular season meeting back on April 28 in a 9-8 thriller at Don Shula Stadium. This helped propel the Yellow Jackets to an OAC Regular Season title, and the number one seed in the OAC Tournament. 

John Carroll Attack vs. Baldwin Wallace Defense
The Blue Streak attack is no stranger to scoring goals, as it averages nearly 17 goals per game, a mark that leads the OAC and ranks top-25 in Division III. The Blue and Gold are led by a dynamic duo of attackers in junior Matt Berdysiak and graduate student Brendan Whitty. 

Berdysiak leads the OAC in goals (66) and shots on goal (98), while also ranking second in points (75). Whitty, JCU's all-time career assists leader, leads the conference in assists (48), and is sixth in points (64). He also became the second Blue Streak to reach 300 career points in Thursday's OAC Semifinal victory.

Graduate student midfielder Kevin Hack (43 goals, 65 points, 78 shots on goal) and junior midfielder/attacker Morgan Morrell (36 goals, 27 assists, 63 points) have also had productive seasons. Morrell scored eight goals in JCU's OAC Semifinal victory, a program postseason record.

The Yellow Jacket defense has been stout all season long, allowing just under eight goals per game, which ranks second in the OAC and top-20 in Division III. They are led by junior goalkeeper Joe Storner, who ranks third in the OAC in save percentage (.579), and second in goals allowed average (7.96). Junior defender Neil Randall has been one of the premier defenders in the OAC this season, as he leads the conference with 59 caused turnovers. Also, freshman faceoff man Luke Demmerle ranks third in the OAC with 96 ground balls.

John Carroll Defense vs. Baldwin Wallace Attack
The John Carroll defense has also been a formidable force this season. It is allowing seven goals per game, which leads the OAC and ranks fifth in Division III. The Blue Streaks are led by junior goalkeeper Jon Gaglio, who leads the OAC in goals allowed average (7.58) and goals allowed (98). 

Junior defender Brendan Hein leads the Blue Streaks with 16 caused turnovers, and ranks second on the team with 58 ground balls. Also, senior midfielder Cam Cecere has 95 ground balls, which ranks fourth in the OAC.

The Baldwin Wallace attack has also had great success in finding the back of the net this season. It averages nearly 15 goals per game, which ranks second in the OAC. The Yellow Jackets have a dynamic attacker duo of their own in the form of junior Kyler Byerly and sophomore Jake Nanosky. 

Byerly leads the OAC in points (80), which are courtesy of 51 goals (second in OAC) and 29 assists (tied for third in OAC). Nanosky ranks third in the conference with 72 points, which have come from 38 goals (sixth in OAC) and 34 assists (fourth in OAC). Junior midfielder/attacker Jake Branton has also performed well this season, totaling 29 points (21 goals and eight assists) thus far.

What's at Stake
The winner of this game will receive an automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Tournament. 

Both John Carroll and Baldwin Wallace each have strong attacks and defenses, positive momentum from OAC Semifinal victories, and a rematch of last year's OAC Tournament Championship Game. 

If this matchup is anything like their regular season meeting, it looks to be another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between these two programs.
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Players Mentioned

Matt Berdysiak

#22 Matt Berdysiak

A
6' 6"
Junior
Cam Cecere

#3 Cam Cecere

M
5' 6"
Senior
Jon Gaglio

#77 Jon Gaglio

G
5' 7"
Junior
Kevin Hack

#8 Kevin Hack

M
5' 9"
Graduate Student
Brendan Hein

#9 Brendan Hein

D
5' 11"
Junior
Morgan Morrell

#5 Morgan Morrell

M/A
5' 10"
Junior
Brendan Whitty

#57 Brendan Whitty

A
5' 10"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Matt Berdysiak

#22 Matt Berdysiak

6' 6"
Junior
A
Cam Cecere

#3 Cam Cecere

5' 6"
Senior
M
Jon Gaglio

#77 Jon Gaglio

5' 7"
Junior
G
Kevin Hack

#8 Kevin Hack

5' 9"
Graduate Student
M
Brendan Hein

#9 Brendan Hein

5' 11"
Junior
D
Morgan Morrell

#5 Morgan Morrell

5' 10"
Junior
M/A
Brendan Whitty

#57 Brendan Whitty

5' 10"
Graduate Student
A

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