Within the first quarter, Michigan State jumped out to an 8-1 lead over Western Michigan. Sophomore attackman Shane Jay-Garfein earned himself a hat trick before time expired in the first quarter. The Spartans also had offensive production from junior attackman Pat Nemes (2), freshman midfielder Josh Nemes and junior attackman Dan Witt. 

Western Michigan was able to cut the Spartans lead to five on a three-minute illegal stick penalty on Shane Jay-Garfein. However, the Spartans were able to keep their lead at a comfortable distance when Witt scored on a shorthanded goal for his second of the night. Shortly following the shorthanded score, sophomore midfielder Lucas Poquette earned his first goal of the night on an assist from junior captain Connor Bush. Michigan State would score two more goals from sophomore midfielder Tyler Ryan and senior midfielder Mike Manetta to put the Spartans up 12-3 heading into halftime.

Following the halftime senior farewell presentation, Michigan State picked up right where they had left off at the end of the second period. Freshman attackman Nick Gaworecki increased the Spartans lead to 10 on an assist from Pat Nemes at the 11:54 mark. Michigan State’s offense became stagnant for about 3 minutes until Mike Manetta found senior midfielder Matt Ullrich on the crease for a layup goal. Michigan State would run off five more unanswered goals against the Broncos before the third quarter would end to increase their lead to 19-4 heading into the fourth quarter.

Within the first 25 seconds of the final quarter, the Spartans had increased their lead to 16 with an assist from Mike Manetta to Nick Gaworecki to put the Spartans up 20-4. Shortly following the Gaworecki goal sophomore Mike Baily earned his first of the night with 13:35 remaining in the game. A hat trick by sophomore Craig Howell, followed by a goal from senior Max Carrion and the Spartans would blow past the Broncos with a 25-4 victory and improve to 2-0 in the CCLA standings.

 Michigan State put up an astounding 43.1% scoring accuracy against the Bronco defense. The Spartan defense also rendered Western Michigan’s nearly scoreless for the entire second half allowing only one goal.

As impressive as their stats were for the night, the most impressive number for Michigan State was the $5,000 dollars the team raised to go towards the fight against breast cancer. In fall of 2009, assistant coach Andy Tibbits’ wife Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer. The team took it upon themselves to help the Tibbits family and their fight with this disease. Lisa Tibbits is nearly cancer free and has made huge strides in her treatment. The men’s lacrosse team has adopted the motto “Playing for a Cure” to embody this season and Lisa’s fight. The team will continue to sell their pink game jerseys and t-shirts to keep raising money for this cause which fans can purchase through the team’s website.