Heart Game of the Week, presented by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce 

Each week, the Heart of America Athletic Conference spotlights one of the conference's top matchups, showcasing the student-athletes and programs that elevate competition across the NAIA. 

This week's Heart Conference Series of the Week, presented by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce, features a men's lacrosse matchup between Benedictine and William Penn. The matchup will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. 

Benedictine enters the contest ranked No. 9 in the NAIA with a 9–1 overall record and a 6–1 mark in conference play. The Ravens have been an offensive force this season, scoring 211 goals with 153 assists on 601 total shots, while averaging 60 shots per game. Benedictine holds a .351 shot percentage and a .601 shots-on-goal percentage, along with 448 ground balls and a .713 faceoff win rate. 

William Penn comes in ranked No. 6 in the NAIA with a 10–1 overall record and a perfect 7–0 mark in conference play, currently riding a nine-game winning streak. The Statesmen have tallied 219 goals and 149 assists on the season, averaging 19.91 goals per game. William Penn has recorded 627 shots with a 60.6 shots-on-goal percentage, averaging 57 shots per game, along with 412 ground balls and a 62.3 faceoff win percentage. 

In last season's conference meeting, William Penn defeated Benedictine 17–5 in Atchison, Kansas. The two programs met again in the Heart Championship Semifinals, where William Penn earned a 20–6 victory in Oskaloosa, Iowa. 

This week's matchup carries major conference implications. A William Penn victory would secure the outright Heart Conference regular-season title. A Benedictine win would result in a shared regular-season championship between the two programs. The automatic bid to the NAIA Men's Lacrosse National Tournament will be determined through the Heart Conference Tournament, beginning April 25.  

Watch the Heart live on the Urban Edge Network. 
https://urbanedgenetwork.net/?school=heart-of-america-athletic-conference 

Follow along all season for the latest scores, highlights, and features on the Heart website and on social media at @HeartSportsNews.