In their final Saturday matchup before conference play, the John Carroll men's lacrosse team traveled to Alma, Michigan, where they defeated the Scots of Alma College 16-11.

The victory concluded a short "tour" of teams from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, with JCU sweep games against Albion at home Wednesday (10-9) and Alma on the road today.

"It was a great experience for our guys," said head coach Joe Rautenstrauch. "We were able to spend some time together as a team and the cherry on top was picking up the W."

The first quarter is what sealed the deal for the Blue and Gold. After John Carroll went up 6-1, the Blue Streaks would hold at least a five-goal advantage for the rest of the game. JCU took their largest lead of the game (10) in the third quarter when Kevin Hack scored a man-up goal to make the score 14-4 with 7:12 remaining.   

The entire first half belong to the Blue Streaks, with JCU scoring six goals in each quarter. After the Scots scored less than one minute into the game, the Blue Streaks would go on a 9-0 scoring run that lasted well into the second quarter. Logan Collins, Skyler Blake, and Patrick O'Grady each scored two goals, while goals sophomores Brendan Witty, Hack, and Jared Gorenflo made the score 9-1 with 9:49 left in the opening half. Gorenflo's goal marks his first of the season.

The Scots managed to tack on three more goals as time expired, but goals from Whitty, Blake, and Cam Gerard gave the Blue and Gold a 12-4 lead going into the intermission.

Seven Blue Streaks scored in the first half, with Blake leading the team with three goals and three assists. His hat trick marked the third of his junior campaign.

Only five goals were scored between the two teams in the third quarter, with JCU taking the majority (3). The only period Alma outscored the Blue Streaks was in the final 15 minutes, but the issue had long been decided.

Blake finished the game leading the team in both goals (4) and assists (4), while Whitty followed with a hat trick and four assists of his own. Hack, O'Grady, and Collins also chipped in two goals apiece.

On defense, Clayton Karam recorded a team-high in both ground balls (10) and caused turnovers (2).

In goal, Jacob Betz earned the win for the Blue and Gold. The goalkeeper tallied 13 saves on the day en route to his fourth win of his senior campaign (4-2).  

Alma's Jared Nycz and Timothy Gearig led the Scots' offense, scoring a combined six goals of the team's 11.   
   
With the win, the Blue Streaks improve to 4-2 on the season, while Alma falls to 4-5.