CARY, N.C. – The Middle Creek Mustangs completed a perfect season dominating Lake Norman 17-8 in the 4A Men’s Lacrosse Championship game. The Mustangs claimed the school’s first state championship in Men’s Lacrosse.
Middle Creek dominated the faceoff spot, winning 25 of 31 faceoffs on the afternoon. Graham Schwartz won 19 of 25 faceoffs (76%) helping Middle Creek dominate time of possession and shots on goal. The Mustangs held a 47-25 shots advantage on the day. Despite not scoring or having an assist, Graham Schwartz was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for his hard work at the faceoff spot.
Owen Caputo was stellar for Middle Creek, scoring four goals on the afternoon and piling up three assists. Charlie Doetzer opened the scoring in the second quarter for the Mustangs, tying the score at 3 just 34 seconds into the frame. The Mustangs owned the second quarter, outscoring Lake Norman 6-1 in the quarter and netting the last five goals heading into halftime with an 8-4 lead.
Jared Medwar tacked on five goals for the Mustangs with two assists on the afternoon. His final score with 56 seconds remaining in the game ended the scoring.
Lake Norman ran out to a 3-1 lead early as Matthew Elder dumped in a goal and had an assist in the opening salvo. He added another goal and assist later in the contest. The Wildcats finished the season 19-5, champions of Conference 11. They defeated Charlotte Catholic 9-4 to win the Western Regional Final.
Middle Creek ended the season 22-0, Champions of Conference 3 at 16-0. The Mustangs won the first Men’s Lacrosse State Championship in school history, making their first appearance in an NCHSAA Title Game.
MCHS – LNHS
17 Goals 8
47 Shots 25
6 Saves 17
25 FO 6
45 GB 21
First Quarter
1Q 8:58 – LN – Ryan Caplis goal, assist by Matthew Elder (LN 1-0)
1Q 8:10 – MC – Jared Medwar goal, assist by Owen Caputo (tied 1-1)
1Q 3:24 – LN – Matthew Elder goal, unassisted (LN 2-1)
1Q 1:37 – LN – Mitchell Cody goal, unassisted (LN 3-1)
1Q 0:37 – MC – Jake Caputo goal, unassisted (LN 3-2)
Second Quarter
2Q 11:24 – MC – Charlie Doetzer goal, unassisted (tied 3-3)
2Q 5:45 – LN – Mitchell Cody goal, unassisted (LN 4-3)
2Q 4:58 – MC – Tanner Patrick goal, assisted by Jared Medwar (tied 4-4)
2Q 4:30 – MC – Jared Medwar goal, unassisted (MC 5-4)
2Q 3:16 – MC – Owen Caputo goal, unassisted (MC 6-4)
2Q 3:09 – MC – Tanner Patrick goal, assisted by Owen Caputo (MC 7-4)
2Q 1:45 – MC – Charlie Doetzer goal, unassisted (MC 8-4)
Third Quarter
3Q 8:50 – LN – Ryan Caplis goal, assist by Matthew Elder (MC 8-5)
3Q 8:24 – MC – Jared Medwar goal, unassisted (MC 9-5)
3Q 4:50 – MC – Owen Caputo goal, unassisted (MC 10-5)
3Q 3:53 – LN – Blake Lecky goal, assisted by Ryan Werner (MC 10-6)
3Q 3:16 – MC – Jake Caputo goal, unassisted (MC 11-6)
3Q 1:41 – LN – Matthew Elder goal, unassisted (MC 11-7)
Fourth Quarter
4Q 9:31 – MC – Owen Caputo goal, unassisted (MC 12-7)
4Q 8:54 – MC – Owen Caputo goal, unassisted (MC 13-7)
4Q 8:33 – MC – Jared Medwar goal, assisted by Tanner Patrick (MC 14-7)
4Q 7:12 – LN – Tucker Goodelle goal, assisted by Blake Lecky (MC 14-8)
4Q 5:49 – MC – Tanner Patrick goal, assisted by Owen Caputo (MC 15-8)
4Q 1:31 – MC – Tanner Patrick goal, assisted by Jared Medwar (MC 16-8)
4Q 0:56 – MC – Jared Medwar goal, unassisted (MC 17-8)
MVP – Middle Creek, Graham Schwartz, 19 for 25 faceoffs (76%)
