By: Cannon Dees '20

BEREA, Ohio- Baldwin Wallace University senior attack Chad Steinwachs (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville North) headlines three NCAA Division III men's lacrosse statistical championships as he led the nation in points-per-game and assists-per-game.

In 17 games this season, Steinwachs led all of NCAA Division III with 77 assists and 118 points. His averages of 4.53 assists per game and 6.94 points per game topped the leaderboards by  a difference of .77 assists and .81 points per game between him and second place respectively.

All of this, in addition to his 41 goals this season, earned him a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA)/Warrior and New Balance All-America Division III honorable mention selection, his first Ohio Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year award, his third All-OAC first-team selection, a first Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) Division III All-West Region second-team selection and three OAC Offensive Player of the Week selections.

"This award is a result of Chad's ability to make everyone around him better," stated head coach Trey Keeley. "His unselfish play drove our team towards success this season because of our approach to share the ball and share our success as a team. His athleticism and IQ were easy to notice on the field, but I think his impact on our underclassmen, and our program as a whole, will be noticeable in years to come."

Steinwachs also holds seven separate school records in single-game assists, single-game points, single-season assists, single-season points, career goals, career assists and career points. He also graduated sixth all-time in career ground balls.

Along with Steinwachs, the BW men's lacrosse team also finished as the NCAA Division III team shot percentage statistical champion. With 309 goals out of 771 shots, their .401 shot percentage was the highest in the nation by .018 and was the only team over .400.

Additionally, BW was amongst the top-five teams in the nation in scoring offense with 18.18 goals-per-game and points-per-game with an average of 29.3. They were also in the top-three in the nation in assists-per-game with an average of 11.18 and were within the top 25 in the nation in man-up situations with 40.4% of plays resulting in goals.  

"I am very proud of the 2019 team and what they accomplished," said Keeley. "I wish I could quantify the interpersonal growth and leadership ability that we experienced this year. The commitment and growth of these men was felt far beyond the statistical results we often celebrate. I believe the struggles and obstacles we overcame to achieve our goals are deep into the core of who they are as people, teammates, leaders and ultimately husbands and fathers in the future."

BW finished the 2019 season with a school-record tying 14 wins, setting additional school records for conference wins and road victories with eight apiece.