Spartans Overwhelm Benedictine in Season Opener
Feb 21, 2015 | None
LISLE, Ill. – The University of Dubuque women’s lacrosse team opened up an 11-1 lead less than 13 minutes into the game and never looked back in a 24-4 rout of Benedictine (Ill.) on Saturday afternoon.
UD dominated Benedictine (0-1) from the outset despite Benedictine’s 1-0 lead just 2:15 into the game. It was quickly erased as Robyn Wittkopf scored two of her five goals within the next minutes to put UD up 2-1. Wittkopf finished with four goals in the first half as the Spartans sported a 14-2 advantage at the break.
Kelly Wetherald took over in the second half with three scores and also finished the game with five goals. Models of efficiency, Wittkopf and Wetherald needed only 13 shots combined to net their 10 total goals.
The Spartans (1-0) outshot the Eagles, 38-14, and were a perfect 13-for-13 on clears. UD converted 4 of its 7 free position shots and forced Benedictine into 14 turnovers. Eight Spartans scored on the night with last year’s leading goal producer, Bridget Schirmers, netting one.
Senior goalkeeper Chelsea Hawkins anchored the Spartan defense with five saves, including four in the second half.
The Spartans improved to 2-1 in its series against Benedictine. UD’s lone loss came on the road two years ago in it's inaugural season.
A promising season awaits after a welcome start for the third-year program that notched its first win in its eighth game of the year last season.
The Spartans host Augsburg (Minn.) (1-2) in their home opener at Oyen Field this Saturday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m.
