March 26, 2016 - The second home game of the season for the Concordia-Chicago men's lacrosse team presented a perfect day for a game, as clear blue skies and a crisp 50 degrees greeted the players and fans. However, while temperatures were cool, the visiting Flying Dutchmen of Hope College (6-3) were hot on their game as they rolled to a 24-2 win over the Cougars (0-7).

Gino Battaglia put the visitors in front just 43 seconds into the game. Hope extended its lead to 3-0 after two minutes of play and to 11-0 by the end of the first quarter. A couple of penalties gave CUC two man-up opportunities in the opening 15 minutes, but they were unable to capitalize on either one.

The Flying Dutchmen took advantage of their only man-up opportunity of the match early in the second quarter. They continued to shoot well for the remainder of the half, finishing with 36 shots to CUC's 10 over the first 30 minutes and taking a 19-0 lead into the break. Noah Bachofen (Franklin, WI/H.S.) recorded nine of his 13 saves in the first half.

The third quarter was a slower-paced affair with just two goals scored by the visitors. In the fourth quarter, Concordia-Chicago averted the shutout after Hope scored at the 13:49 mark. Cal Crawford (Stillwater, MN/Cretin-Derham Hall) won the ensuing faceoff, picked up the ground ball and came straight down the middle at the Hope goalie. Crawford picked his spot and fired the ball home for his eighth goal of the season. The goal came just six seconds after Hope's tally. Crawford found the back of the net again just five minutes later to wrap up the scoring for CUC.

Concordia-Chicago will return to action on Wednesday, March 30 when they play Carroll University in Waukesha, WI.