BEREA, Ohio - As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the nation and the world, the Baldwin Wallace University Athletic Department and men's lacrosse team want to take the time to recognize the hard work and dedication of its seven senior student-athletes.
Drew Braden, Ben Kubiak, Connor Lalime, Matt Lowe, Hunter Lute, Riley Mahon, and Austin Routzong saw their final season come to an abrupt end on March 12 when the Ohio Athletic Conference and NCAA canceled the remainder of the spring season and in doing so, the Senior Day recognition they deserved.
While the NCAA has extended another year of eligibility, it is uncertain if each of these student-athlete will come back for another season or continue down their career path. So, the University administration, faculty and staff congratulates these seven young men on their outstanding athletic and academic careers as well as their leadership to the men's lacrosse program. The University would like to wish each of them all the best of luck in their future endeavors and hope that even after graduation that they come back and visit us often. They will always be a Yellow Jacket for Life (YJ4L).
Braden is a sport management major from Wooster, Ohio and a graduate of Wooster High School. The attacker will earn his second varsity letter this spring. After a two-year stint at NCAA Division II's Ohio Valley University, Braden transferred to BW at the beginning of his junior year. Since then, Braden has appeared in 23 career games, including nine starts. He wraps up his career with 39 goals, 11 assists, and 50 points. Braden appears at the fifth spot on the program's all-time leaderboards with a 1.70 career goals per game average, as well as seventh with a 2.17 career points per game ratio. Although it was a small sample size, Braden's most successful campaign came in 2020, where he garnered a team-leading 17 goals and 18 points in just six games, to go along with career-bests of 12 ground balls, and two caused turnovers. His 17 goals on year also tied him for second place amongst OAC players. He is the son of Mike and Debbie Braden.
Kubiak is a software engineering major from Wooster, Ohio and a graduate of Wooster High School. He is one of three 2020 team co-captains and a two-time All-OAC attacker that will earn his fourth varsity letter this spring. Kubiak has appeared in 53 career games for BW, including 34 starts. He wraps up his career 80 goals, 39 assists, and 119 points, finishing tied for third, sixth, and fourth on the program's all-time leaderboards, respectively. Kubiak also appears at the fourth spot for shots on goal with 133 for his career, as well as tied for 10th with 95 career ground balls. His most successful campaign came in 2019, where he set a school record and was tied for third in the OAC with 53 goals. He also notched career-best totals nearly across the board in 2019 with 20 assists, 73 points, five man-up goals, 43 ground balls, and 73 shots on goal in just 16 games. He is an Academic All-OAC selection, Jacket Scholar, and is the son of Paul and Kim Kubiak.
Lalime is a business administration major from Buffalo, New York and a graduate of Williamsville East High School. The goalkeeper will earn his third varsity letter this spring. Lalime has appeared in 14 career games in between the pipes, including one start. He wraps up his career with a 1-0 record, 18 saves, 6.28 goals against average, and .500 save percentage. His most successful campaign came in 2017, when he logged 77:38 minutes, and notched career-bests in goals against average and save percentage with 2.32 and .700, respectively, as well as earning his first career win in his first career start. He is the son of James and Dona Lalime.
Lowe is an exercise science major from Mentor, Ohio and a graduate of Mentor High School. The midfielder will earn his third varsity letter this spring. Lowe has appeared in 18 career games. He concludes his career with one goal, one assist, and two points, as well as 11 ground balls, two caused turnovers, and five shots on goal. His most successful campaign came in 2018 where he recorded career-bests one assist, one point and nine ground balls in nine games. He is the son of Thomas and Dawn Lowe.
Lute is a business administration major from North Canton, Ohio and a graduate of North Canton High School. The midfielder will earn his fourth varsity letter this spring. Lute has appeared in 40 career games. He concludes his career with nine goals, one assist, and 10 points, in addition to 41 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers, 13 shots on goal, and 19 faceoffs won. His 19 career faceoffs won rank him ninth on the program's all-time leaderboards. Lute's most successful campaign came in 2019, where he collected career-bests down the line, which included six goals, one assist, seven points, 15 ground balls, four caused turnovers, six shots on goal and 10 faceoffs won in 14 games. He is the son of Mel and Dawn Lute.
Mahon is a criminal justice major from Palatine, Illinois and a graduate of William Fremd High School. The midfielder will earn his fourth varsity letter this spring. Mahon has appeared in 47 career games, including 12 starts. He finishes his career with 23 goals, seven assists and 30 points, as well as 26 ground balls, 14 caused turnovers, and 54 shots on goal. Mahon's most successful campaign came in 2019, where he accumulated career-bests nearly across the board, which featured 13 goals, four assists, 17 points, eight ground balls, and 23 shots on goal in 17 games. He is the son of Chris and Jackie Mahon.
Routzong is a finance major from Hilliard, Ohio and a graduate of Bradley High School. He is one of three 2020 team co-captains and will earn his fourth varsity letter this spring. Routzong has appeared in 41 career games. He completes his career with seven goals, five assists, and 12 points, as well as 58 ground balls, 21 caused turnovers, 14 shots on goal, and 13 faceoffs won. Routzong's most successful campaign came in 2019, having established career-bests down the line with five goals, three assists, eight points, 38 ground balls, eight caused turnovers, and 10 shots on goal in 17 games. He is the son of Bill and Janet Routzong.
