Louisville, Ky. - The Newberry Men's Lacrosse team has been ranked 18th in this week's United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Coaches Poll. The Wolves are 4-2 (1-1 SAC) through six games which is their second best start in program history. Newberry has secured wins this season over Young Harris, Lees-McRae, No. 20 Mount Olive, and SAC opponent Tusculum.
On the offensive side, the Scarlet & Gray are averaging over 15 goals a game this season while holding opponents to an average of 11 goals per contest. They've capitalized on 15 out of 32 (47%) man-up opportunities and registered 45 assists through six games.
On the defensive end, Newberry has 46 caused turnovers and scooped 199 ground balls.
Sophomore attacker and reigning SAC Player of the Week Baker Westmoreland (Charlotte, N.C.) leads the Wolves in points with 26 this season. The Charlotte native netted 17 goals and nine assists in the first six games with five of those goals coming on man-up opportunities. Westmoreland also has four games with three or more goals this year.
Junior captain Scott Reed (Ontario, Canada) ranks second in total points, recording 22 points on 15 goals and seven assists.
Sophomore Mac Ryan (Lake Villa, Ill) is Newberry's leading goal scorer this season with a team-high 19 goals, including a seven-goal performance in a win over Lees-McRae. Ryan also has an impressive defensive effort, scooping 11 ground balls and causing five turnovers within six games.
Sophomore faceoff specialist Connor Bates (Boiling Springs, S.C.) boasts a 57-percent (52-for-91) faceoff percentage while also securing a team-high 32 ground balls and four caused turnovers.
Sophomore goalkeeper Griffin Broad (Wake Forest, N.C.) boasts an undefeated record in three starts this year, and ranks first in the South Atlantic Conference in goals against with 25 allowed. Broad scored the game-winning goal against nationally ranked Mount Olive on Tuesday (Mar. 8) as he went end-to-end for the score from the goalie position.
The Wolves are coming off their first win in conference play this past Saturday (Mar. 12) as they took down the Pioneers of Tusculum, while scoring a season-high 23 goals to Tusculum's 17 in the process.
The Newberry Men's Lacrosse team is back in action this Wednesday (Mar. 16) in a conference matchup as they host the Coker Cobras in their first annual "Every Child Matters" game. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at Setzler Field.
