BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn lacrosse team stormed out to an early lead and held on to overcome a comeback attempt from No. 6 Siena Heights University in a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference matchup at the Detroit Country Day Fieldhouse.
The Wolverines led by as many as seven goals, but after Siena Heights erased the deficit, a clean faceoff win from Dillon Beal set up Adam Ranck for the game-winning goal with just 19 seconds remaining in regulation for a 16-15 win to open WHAC play. The win moves UM-Dearborn to 1-4 on the season and 1-0 in the WHAC.
The win was a historic one for the Wolverines, as it was the first over the No. 6 Saints, the highest ranked opponent UM-Dearborn has earned a win over since moving to the NAIA in 2017.
UM-Dearborn started strong, taking a 7-0 lead into the second quarter, scoring twice while a man down late in the opening 15 minutes.
The teams continued to exchange goals, setting up the Wolverines with a 14-8 lead heading into the final quarter. Siena Heights chipped away, bringing the score to 15-12 with just 2:57 remaining. Alex Gilbert scored three times for the Saints, the last coming with 25 seconds remaining to tie the game at 15-15. Off the ensuing faceoff, Beal capped off his record-breaking game, with the biggest faceoff win of the contest to set up the game-winner just six seconds later.
Beal led the Wolverines with 22 groundballs, setting a new program record. The freshman continued to dominate in the faceoff department, winning 28-of-34.
Leading the way offensively for UM-Dearborn was Devon Callaghan with seven goals and one assist, bringing his team-leading total to 17 goals in three games played. Ranck added three goals and four assists, while Micah Rinke scored twice.
In goal, Liam Turner made 12 saves to improve to 1-2 on the season.
The Wolverines continue conference play against No. 3 Indiana Tech at 5 pm Wednesday at the Legacy Center in Brighton, Mich.
