RV Trojans Roll Past SHU for Senior Day Victory

UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor took the Wheeler Field turf for its Senior Day on Saturday against Siena Heights and did not disappoint the large home crowd, dispatching of the guests by a 19-8 score for a key WHAC victory and its first-ever win over SHU in six tries.

Along with keeping their WHAC Tournament hopes alive with the win, the Trojans secured their sixth victory of the season, setting a new program record for the most on-field victories in the seven-year history of the program. TU was credited with three forfeit wins in 2019 and two more in 2021 on the way to seven victories in those seasons, but had not won more than five contests on the field prior to the decisive win on Saturday.

TU grabbed control of the game from the opening moments and never looked back, putting on a clinic in all phases against SHU (5-6, 0-5 WHAC) in the first period on the way to a 7-1 lead.

Over the first 15 minutes of action, Taylor held a 21-4 advantage in ground balls, won eight-of-nine faceoffs, scored on each of its man-up opportunities and outshot the Saints by a 17-7 margin.

The six-goal gap grew to double digits in the second, as Siena Heights had no answer and Taylor eventually settled on a 12-3 halftime lead.

Taylor held its ground in the second half, preventing any hope of a SHU comeback, as the Trojans cruised to the 19-8 win.

The 19 goals and 11-goal margin of victory were TU's best marks in a WHAC contest since thumping Cleary by a 25-3 margin back on April 20 of 2022.

Will Saxby was in the middle of most of the action, posting six goals, with one assist and five ground balls. Henry Cooper and Jackson Dale combined for seven goals and four helpers, while Will Vanderkodde added two goals, five assists and five ground balls.

Lucas Pacer led the defense once again with seven ground balls and four caused turnovers, with Ben Harrell stopping 17 shots.

David Celesti got it started all afternoon however, winning 18-of-28 faceoffs to allow Taylor to dominate possession throughout.

The win marked the final outings for seniors James Proodian, Trace Muylle, Will Vanderkodde and Casey Bane at Wheeler Field and the four athletes were honored with their families prior to the start of Saturday's contest.

RV Taylor (6-6, 1-4 WHAC) will look to secure another key league win on Wednesday, April 16 when it plays at Michigan-Dearborn (4-8, 0-4 WHAC) in a 6:00 pm start. A victory would punch Taylor's ticket into the WHAC Tournament for the second time in program history and the first since 2021.