ST. PAUL, Minn. – Augustana men's lacrosse (2-2) improved their win-loss record to 2-2 today with a 9-4 road victory at the University of Northwestern. The Vikings used a big first period and stifling defense to earn their second-consecutive win.
 
The Eagles started the scoring in the first quarter with an Isaac Geurink goal just 90 seconds into the game. Trailing 1-0, the Vikings struck back in dominating fashion with five unanswered goals. John Calabrese got Augie on the board after a Bob Robertson assist. Elijah Graesser continued the Viking run with a goal of his own then followed up with an assist to Sam Shaver. With just over five minutes to play in the opening period, Shaver connected again to extend the Viking lead. Robertson then found the back of the net for his first goal of the day. Northwestern scored just before the buzzer but would not do so again until the fourth period.
 
The second and third periods were controlled by the Vikings with Mark Teschke scoring to give Augustana a 6-2 halftime lead. The Vikings widened the gap with another Shaver score and a Matteo Uccelli goal in the third period.
 
UNW showed some life in the early stages of the fourth quarter when Bryce Schmidgall and Joseph Kalski trimmed Augie's lead to 8-4. Graesser eventually provided the final blow with an unassisted goal to reach the ultimate score of 9-4.
 
Sam Shaver's three goals led the Viking offense. Brady Holtz assisted twice to pace Augustana in that category. Cameron Duffy had a phenomenal day in goal with 10 saves and just four goals allowed.
 
The Vikings will return home next week for a pair of contests at Thorson-Lucken Field. Augustana hosts the University of Dubuque on Wednesday, Mar. 16 and Marian on Saturday, Mar. 19.