Spartans Win First MWLC Game
Apr 11, 2014 | J.Crane
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - The University of Dubuque Women's Lacrosse team earned their first Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference (MWLC) victory on Friday night at Fontbonee University. The Spartans jumped out to a 5-0 lead within the first minutes in the 18-11 victory. Bridget Schirmers (Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids) scored a team high six goals. The win was the second in the programs history. UD is now 1-7 overall and 1-4 in the MWLC.
It was a total team effort for the Spartans as they took a 5-0 lead with five different Spartans scoring. Robyn Wittkopf (Pewaukee, Wis./Arrowhead) gave UD a 1-0 lead with her fith goal of the season just two minutes into the game. Alora Esparza (Silvis, Ill./United Township), Kelly Wetherald (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township), and Judy Borah (Mammoth Lakes, Calif./Pacific Palisades Charter) all scored unassisted to push the lead to 4-0. Wetherald assisted on Schirmers first goal of the game for the fifth straight UD goal.
After a free position goal by Fontbonne, Schirmers scored unassisted. Wetherald scored back-to-back goals within :37 seconds to push to lead to 8-1, Wittkopf assisted on each goal. Fontbonne scored its second goal of the game before two goals by Schirmers and another by Borah. Fontbonne scored with 2:48 left in the first half to make the score 11-3.
The teams exchanged goals in the second half with Borah, Schirmers, and Wetherald scoring two goals each. Wetherald's fifth goal of the game at the 17:42 mark gave UD its largest lead of the game at 15-5. Wittkopf had a team high four assists whie Borah scored four goals.
Borah, Wittkopf, and Itzel Rivera (Fort Knox, Ky./Fort Knox) all had a team high four ground balls.
Natalie Cukale (Aurora, Colo./Gateway) earned the win, playing the first 30 minutes in goal. Danielle Williams (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) recorded three saves in the second half.
The Spartans finished with a 28-19 advantage in ground balls and held a 21-11 edge in turnovers forced. UD was agressive on offensive holding a 38-17 leads in shots.
UP NEXT: The Spartans will play the University of Dallas on Saturday, Aprill 11th at Fontbonne. Game time is Noon.
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