Lacrosse
5-27-09
Grand Canyon University's lacrosse team finished the season leading NCAA Division II in saves per game, according to final NCAA statistical reports released Wednesday.
GCU averaged 20.0 saves per game. Freshman Andrew Hunter (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain HS) spent the majority of time in goal for the Antelopes, averaging 18.31 saves per game. Freshmen backups Dale Schlegel (Downey, Calif./Downey HS) and Jeff Tabor (Crofton, Md./Hargrave Military Academy) combined for 20 of the team's 260 saves.
Hunter had 238 saves, starting in all 13 games for the Antelopes. Hunter ranked 15th in the nation in saves percentage (.548).
"Our goaltending was definitely an upgrade this season," second-year Lopes coach Adam Marshall said.
Grand Canyon freshman Bryce Sheldon (University Place, Wash./Curtis HS) ranked seventh in the nation in ground balls per game (6.62). He led the Lopes with a school-record 86 ground balls. He was also GCU's main man on the draw, winning 125 of the 250 faceoffs he attempted. Sheldon ranked 19th in faceoff win percentage (.500).
GCU junior attack Scott Franks (Lakewood, Ohio/St. Ignatius HS) ranked 20th in the country in assists per game (1.54). Franks led the Antelopes with a school-record 20 assists.
Antelopes freshman midfielder Jordy Patterson (Chandler, Ariz./Corona del Sol HS) was 27th in goals per game (2.18). Patterson scored a team-high 24 goals, matching fellow freshman Jacob Hippensteel. Patterson played in 11 games, while Hippensteel (Chandler, Ariz./Chandler HS) played in all 13.
Grand Canyon went 2-11 in NCAA-recognized contests in 2009, winning the Baggataway Cup. GCU was 3-12 overall.
NCAA Statistical Rankings
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