Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS

Angelina McSauby

Men's Lacrosse 4/27/2024 2:44:00 PM Anthony Clark Jr., Assistant Manager of Athletic Communications

Panthers make history as a program, close 2024 with win over Cardinals

First double-digit wins mark as an NCAA DII program

Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport University men's lacrosse ended the season on a high note after defeating William Jewell 12-6 on Senior Day.

In a year consisting of program records being broken and new standards set, the Panthers finished a season with double-digit wins (10-4, 2-4 GLVC) for the first time since 2018 and the first time as an NCAA Division II program - and tied the program's best single-season conference wins tally.

"The GLVC is, in my opinion, the toughest conference," said head coach Chris Esquivel. "Four of the programs were ranked (this year). It's full of great players and coaches (and) the competition has really helped us mature as a program and allow us to see what it takes to be a top team in the NCAA."

Opening the game with three unanswered goals, the momentum favored DU early in the contest. However, two straight goals by the Cardinals cut the deficit to one goal heading into the second period. Managing another three-goal scoring run, the Panthers increased their lead to 6-2 with 5:53 remaining in the first half. William Jewell scored their third goal of the game before the halftime break to cut into the lead.

Scoring first to start the third period, the Cardinals brought the game within two goals just past the halfway mark (7-5). However, two goals by Ty Woods (assist Kellan McKouen) and Luke Eichbuaer (assist Dawson Gillette) brought DU's lead back to four goals as William Jewell was prevented from coming any closer to tying the game. The Panthers closed their victory with a 3-1 scoring run in the fourth period to end the 2024 campaign with a win.

Braylon Baker led the offense with three goals (one assist), followed by two from Jayden Ashley (one assist), Dylan Day, and Eichbuaer. Dylan Fallon (one assist), Woods, and McKouen (two assists) were also big contributors.

Defensively, the Panthers were all over the Cardinals as a combined 13 caused turnovers were led by Kaden Seelye, the program's all-time leader for the category. Trey Zelinski and Keagan King also added a pair of caused turnovers to the team's total. Daniel Milano made 14 saves for a .700 save percentage in the contest.

Alongside their program bests this year, DU finished 2024 nearly perfect at home with a 5-1 record and a winning road record of 4-3. On top of this, the Panthers saw their first national ranking nod (No. 26) in program history earlier this season.

"We knew we had a special group this season," Esquivel said. "What made it so special was how close the team was and how hard they worked for each other. I'm proud of this team and the staff."

This year was the program's final season as a Great Lakes Valley Conference member, as DU will merge with the Great Midwest Athletic Conference ahead of the 2024-25 season.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Keagan King: MF; 5' 9"; Graduate Student

#12 Dylan Fallon: A; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

#10 Jayden Ashley: A; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#5 Kaden Seelye: MF; 6' 3"; Senior

#8 Daniel Milano: GK; 6' 3"; Graduate Student

#14 Dylan Day: MF; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior

#4 Trey Zelinski: MF; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#21 Braylon Baker: A; 6' 2"; Junior

#24 Ty Woods: A; 6' 0"; Freshman

#42 Dawson Gillette: MF; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#9 Keagan King
: 5' 9"; Graduate Student
: MF

#12 Dylan Fallon
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman
: A

#10 Jayden Ashley
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: A

#5 Kaden Seelye
: 6' 3"; Senior
: MF

#8 Daniel Milano
: 6' 3"; Graduate Student
: GK

#14 Dylan Day
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior
: MF

#4 Trey Zelinski
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: MF

#21 Braylon Baker
: 6' 2"; Junior
: A

#24 Ty Woods
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: A

#42 Dawson Gillette
: 5' 11"; Junior
: MF