Taylor Handles RV Cougars for Third-Straight Win

Broadcast Highlights | Sideline Highlights

UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor moved to 2-0 at Wheeler Field and won for a third-straight time on the season with a 12-4 victory over previously unbeaten RV Mount Vernon Nazarene (6-1) on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans took the attack right at the visitors from the start in front of a packed home crowd. TU set the tone by winning 13-of-19 faceoffs, collecting 12 more ground balls than MVNU and outshooting the guests by 12.

A goal by Reid Gerig midway through the first period put Taylor in front by a 2-1 margin and TU rattled off the game's next nine scores to open up a comfortable edge at 11-1 on the heels of the extended, 10-0, rally.

The Taylor defense stifled MVNU, holding the Cougars without a goal from the 9:29 mark of the first until just 15 seconds remained in the third.

The scoreless drought of nearly 40 minutes of game action was snapped with the late third-quarter strike, and MVNU added two more in the early moments of the fourth before Taylor settled back in and sealed the 12-4 win.

Aidan Craig was too much for the talented Couger defense, opening the day with two goals and closing with six more assists. The six helpers moved Craig to 152 for his career, just 23 shy of tying the all-time WHAC record.

Craig had plenty of help, as Caleb Williams impressed in his return with four goals and Jackson Dale found the net on each of his three shots.

Grant Elzinga and Trace Muylle anchored the defense in front of Ben Harrell with a combined 10 ground balls, and Harrell cleaned up the rest with nine saves and just the four goals allowed.

Carlton Best also shined, winning 13 faceoffs and losing just six.

The three-straight victories match Taylor's longest win streak since also taking three-straight in 2021, putting the Trojans just one shy of tying the young program's best win streak of four set at the open of their inaugural campaign in 2019.

TU (3-4) will look to continue its strong play when it opens the WHAC schedule at home against RV Madonna (3-2) on Saturday, March 23. That contest is set to begin at 1:00 pm on Wheeler Field.