A third party observer might have struggled to tell which team was the home team during Tuesday night’s men’s lacrosse scrimmage at Hunter Stadium. Half of the grandstand was filled with fans from the University of Missouri. Lindenwood defeated Mizzou 10-4. The two teams used to compete in the same league but Lindenwood’s new status as an NCAA Div. II member means the game does not count on either team’s record. Sophomore midfielder Carter McCracken said even though the scrimmage did not count the intensity was still very real. “It’s a big rivalry,” McCracken said. “We played them a lot last year, just kind of brewed into a nice rivalry where everyone comes hard to play.” The Lions are 7-6 overall this season. They will finish the year on the road with a pair of games in North Carolina. Head coach Derek Schaub said the Tigers were a nice tune up for games his team hopes to win. “They’ll be two real good tests for us,” Schaub said. “Definitely a fun way to finish out the year with two tough games.”

1. Lindenwood freshman long stick midfielder Grame Hossack and
Mizzou senior long stick midfielder and captain James Spink stand
in a sun spot at the 50 yard line of Hunter Stadium waiting for the
opening faceoff.

2. Lindenwood junior midfielder John Pettis tries to knock the ball
lose by slashing Mizzou freshman midfielder Matt Ward. Early in
the first half neither team was able to keep the ball in the
offensive zone.

3. The physical play caused several turnover in transition. Slashes to
the elbows were the top cause of turnovers during the game.

4. Mizzou sophomore attack Matt Vollmer sets a pick on Lindenwood
junior defenseman Jake Crews in an attempt to create space behind
the net for fellow sophomore attack Tim Adams.

5. Adams avoided a penalty after holding Crew’s stick. Much of the
clutching and grabbing occurred on the perimeter of the field.

6. Eventually Adams was able to run the corner and move back toward
the middle of the field.

7. The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead, but a few minutes later LU
sophomore attack Jack Rohan scored to tie the game.

8. Senior midfielder Richard Wilson prepares to
intercept a pass at midfield as Hossack runs
along the near side. LU was able to keep the
ball in the offensive zone several times
because of arrant Mizzou passes.

9. LU senior midfielder Jack Caroll toward the net. He was opposed by
Mizzou freshman attack Tony Bradshaw. Both teams focused its
defense on the slot most of the night.

10. Forcing contact was the main defensive strategy for Mizzou when LU
tried to drive to the net.

11. Contact occurred in the middle of the field as
well. Pettis lowers a shoulder on his man to move
him away from an incoming pass.

12. Senior midfielder Kyle O’Donnell receives a pass. O’Donnell is one of
the Lindenwood players responsible for running the point.

13. Lindenwood freshman attack Andrew Szczepan is roughed. Mizzou
took penalties and game LU the man advantage several times.

14. Minutes after the penalty against Szczepan, Nelson cross checked
LU senior midfielder Josh Arras.

15. LU sophomore midfielder Carter McCracken passed to Arras.
McCraken said he enjoys the LU-Mizzou lacrosse rivalry.

16. The Lions lead at the beginning of the second half. LU won the half’s
opening draw before scoring shortly afterward.

17. Lindenwood senior midfielder William DelGrosso pushes Ward to the
sideline. Mizzou was kept away from the LU goal early in the second
half.

18. During the fourth
quarter Mizzou battled
back and scored three
unanswered before LU
added a few extra
goals during garbage
time.

19. At least one LU player broke a stick during the scrimmage and had
to retrieve a new one from the sideline.

20. Lindenwood eventually was able to close out the Tigers. They
greeted friends and family on the field after the post-scrimmage
huddle.