Spartans Defeated by Robert Morris in Home Opener
Mar 13, 2015
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's lacrosse team dropped their home opener to Robert Morris, 14-7, in the first of nine home matches on newly turfed Oyen Field.
The opening match of their five-game homestand didn't quite go as planned as Robert Morris (3-1) ran away from the Spartans after an early 2-2 tie. Down 2-0 early, the Spartans (2-2) countered with a pair of goals from Bridget Schirmers and Robyn Wittkopf to knot it up with 24 minutes to go in the first half.
A four-goal burst by the Eagles took the wind out of the Spartans sails and supplied Robert Morris with a 6-2 halftime advantage. After the break, it was all-Robert Morris as they seized a 12-4 lead with 12:31 to play. Back-to-back-to-back scores by UD's leading scorers, Schirmers (two) and Kelly Wetherald, made it interesting, but the Eagles held on until the end.
UD outshot Robert Morris, 28-24, on the game including 18-11 in the second half. The Spartans couldn't capitalize as the Eagles tallied 13 saves after a majority of UD's shots were directed right at the Eagle goalie.
Offensively, Schirmers claimed a hat trick (three goals) while Jessi Tapia paced the defense with four ground balls. Breann Tjaarda was a force on draw controls after collecting nine of UD's 15 on the game.
The Eagles Taylor O'Gara turned in a hat trick of her own and added two assists.
After just four home bouts last year, the Spartans wil play at home in nine of their next 10 matches. The Spartans face Carroll University in their first ever CCIW matchup on Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m.
