LONDON, Ont. - Western lost a hard fought battle 14-12 at Mustang Field against the two-time CUFLA West Division champions Brock Badgers Wednesday night. Early in the season, Western sits at 1-1 and heads into the weekend looking to upset Brock on their home turf.
 
Freshman Cody Ward led the Mustang offence with four goals on the night. 2014 team leading goal scorer Ryan McCrory put three on the board for the Mustangs, while Ryan Myles and Thomas Masterson each put in one goal and two assists.
 
Throughout the first quarter the ball was back and forth between the two teams. Western's freshman goalie Manraj Nijjar, took on a tough night against the strong Badger offence who put up five goals in the first 20 minutes.
 
The Mustangs made some big changes in the second quarter, dominating the play from the first possession. Senior midfielder Sam Need started the play off right with an underhand bounce shot cutting Brock's lead to 5-3. The Badger lead didn't last long however, with the Mustangs recording five unanswered goals from four different players. Brock struggled with penalties, resulting in four power play goals from the Mustang offence who displayed strong teamwork early in the season to take a 7-6 lead after 40 minutes.
 
The third quarter proved how evenly matched the two teams were, with the score going back and forth the entire 20 minutes. McCrory scored an unassisted top corner shot, and later in the quarter, putting two up on the board for the Mustangs. At the end of 60 minutes, the game was tied at 10.
 
Both teams came out fighting in the fourth quarter, Western's defence managed the tough Brock attack, who had possession much of the quarter. Unfortunately, the Badgers ended up on top 14-12 at the end of 80 minutes.
 
Brock was led by Brandon Slade, who finished with five goals and one assist while Davis Neal added four goals and 2 assists to the scoreboard.


The Mustangs are back in action Saturday, September 19 in St. Catharines at 1 p.m., where
Western will looking to get some revenge on the Badgers on their home turf.