MARSHALL, Mo. - The Ottawa men's lacrosse team picked up their first win of the season as they beat Missouri Valley by a score of 8-5 on Wednesday afternoon in Marshall.

Ottawa led 2-0 after the first quarter and ended up scoring the first three goals of the game before their run was broken by a Missouri Valley goal four minutes into the second quarter. The Braves didn't let that set them back, scoring three more goals and taking a 6-1 halftime lead. Ottawa continued their command in the third quarter, scoring two more goals and stretching their lead to 8-1. Missouri Valley fought back in the fourth, going on a four goal run of their own, but it was not enough to overcome the Ottawa lead.

Antonio Bell led Ottawa with three goals, Cameron Brown scored two. Zander Wood, Tucker Yeley, and Rylin Huber scored one goal each. Bell and Brown made two assists each, Ashton Buckalew made one. Dylan Murano made 14 saves in goal, posting a .737 save percentage en route to his first collegiate win.

Missouri Valley led total shots 45 to 42, but Ottawa led shots on goal 24 to 19. Ottawa collected 25 ground balls to Missouri Valley's 21. Ottawa was 32 for 35 in clear attempts, Missouri Valley was 30 for 38. Ottawa won ten faceoffs, Missouri Valley won seven. Ottawa was one for three in extra man opportunities while being perfect on the penalty kill, holding Missouri Valley scoreless in their two man up attempts.

This win marks Ottawa's first since April 20, 2024, and also marks the first win in the Kyle Beard era.

Ottawa (1-6, 0-1 HAAC) returns to the field on Saturday, March 21 as they travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa for a conference game at (5) William Penn University. That game is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM.