DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's lacrosse team closed out their home slate in style on Saturday afternoon, earning a hard-fought 13-11 victory over WHAC foe Siena Heights University at Wolverine Field. The win marked UM-Dearborn's first conference victory of the season and served as a fitting tribute on Senior Day, as the program honored five graduating seniors: Drake Biggie, Brodie Mahmud, Jack Meyers, Marcus Phillips, and Ryan Savage.
Fueled by emotion and determination, the Wolverines (5-10, 1-6 WHAC) came out strong, building an early lead and fending off multiple second-half rallies from the Saints (5-8, 0-7 WHAC).
Senior Ryan Savage set the tone early, assisting on the game's opening goal and later adding a critical unassisted tally in the third quarter. Brodie Mahmud, also playing in his final home game, delivered a standout performance with three goals and three assists, including two crucial fourth-quarter setups that helped UM-Dearborn seal the game.
Garrett Kern led all scorers with four goals, notching a pair of man-up tallies that proved key in halting Siena Heights' surges. Jeremy Fancett came alive in the fourth, scoring all three of his goals in the final frame, including two in a span of less than two minutes to give the Wolverines a late cushion.
Defensively, senior Marcus Phillips helped anchor the backline and contributed four ground balls, while Jack Meyers and Owen Reed combined for 20 saves in net. Meyers made 14 stops through nearly three quarters of play before Reed stepped in to close out the game, making six saves and earning the win.
The Wolverines led 7-3 at halftime, but Siena Heights stormed back with a five-goal third quarter, briefly tying the game at 9-9 early in the fourth. That's when UM-Dearborn's seniors rose to the occasion. Mahmud's third goal gave the Wolverines the lead back, and Fancett's flurry down the stretch secured the emotional win.
UM-Dearborn dominated at the faceoff X, winning 18 of 26 draws, thanks in part to the efforts of Felipe Tacaoca Honda and Zachary Berwald. The Wolverines also capitalized on special teams, converting four of six man-up opportunities.
