Wade sets the tone in Mids’ victory over Bison

Navy lacrosse player Ryan Wade could join NBA stars Stephen Curry and Chris Paul in those State Farm commercials. The sophomore attackman would fit right in with the insurance company’s “Exist to Assist” campaign.

Wade spent most of Saturday setting up and assisting his teammates, displaying an unselfishness that was contagious as Navy used outstanding ball movement to pick apart the Bucknell defense.

Wade finished with a career-high five assists as the Midshipmen soundly defeated the Bison, 13-7, before an announced 806 on a brisk March day at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Sophomore midfielder Greyston Torain and junior attackman Chris Hill had five points apiece for the Mids, who shared the ball effectively.

“That’s something we emphasized the last couple weeks in practice, just cleaning up our stickwork, moving the ball around quickly and getting the defense spinning,” Hill said. “I thought we did a really good job of that today, especially in those transition opportunities. We’re always looking for that one more pass.”

Hill and Torain each scored four goals to lead Navy, which repeatedly made the extra pass to create a one-on-one opportunity with the goalie.

Sophomore midfielder Drew Smiley contributed two goals and an assist for the Mids, who started the second half on a 7-1 run to pull away.

“Ball movement was very crucial with the way Bucknell played us defensively. We talked about working it down one side then swinging it to the other side,” Navy coach Rick Sowell said. “Even though they threw an unexpected zone at us, we maintained that mentality that we ingrained in the guys throughout the week . ... Ball movement can go a long way.”

With Wade setting the tone, Navy had assists on 10 of 13 goals. Bucknell Navy Goals: B—O’Hara 4, O’Connor, O’Brien, Sands; N—Hill 4, Torain 4, Smiley 2, Burgoyne, Little, Rees. Assists: B—Sands 3; N—Wade 5, Hill, Little, Plumer, Smiley, Torain. Saves: B—Klipstein 10; N—Kern 8.