Spartans Defeat Wartburg in Convincing Fashion
Mar 26, 2015
BOX SCORE
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's lacrosse team utilized a 44-17 shot advantage and four goals from midfielder Robyn Wittkopf to down Wartburg, 15-6, in their first-ever meeting.
After sprinting out to a 10-0 lead in the first 11 minutes in their win over first-year program Carroll (Wis.) on Tuesday, the Spartans (4-2, 1-0 CCIW) got off to a slower start against Wartburg's newly minted team. Despite a 27-10 shot advantage in the first half, the Spartans got all they could handle from the Knights (1-6, 1-0 MWLC) and their goalkeeper Paulsen (14 saves in the first) after sporting a 6-3 lead at the break.
UD managed to dissect the defense of Wartburg goalkeeper, Karolina Paulsen, in the second as she played brilliantly in racked up 20 saves on the game.
The Spartans opened up the second on the backs of their three scoring leaders as Wittkopf, Bridget Schirmers, and Breann Tjaarda scored three straight goals in less than three minutes to give UD a 9-3 advantage. Wittkopf also lended a helping hand after assisting on Schirmers first of two goals on the night.
Wartburg countered with an impressive effort that included two quick goals while playing two women down. Schirmers and Co. responded as Schirmers goal at the 18:46 mark sparked a 4-0 UD run and a 13-5 lead.
Wittkopf's four goals came on the heels of a school-record seven goals against Carroll. The sophomore has scored 11 of her 13 goals in the last two games. Schirmers leads the team with 17 goals after two scores tonight.
Wartburg's Niki Harrison led the team with two goals on three shots.
The Spartans controlled the ball from the get-go after outdoing the Knights on draw controls, 18-8, while forcing Wartburg into 31 turnovers. Breann Tjaarda and Wittkopf were instrumental in dominating the draws after racking up six and eight draw controls, respectively. Tjaarda also snagged a game-high four ground balls.
UD has totaled 36 goals in their last two games, the highest scoring effort through a two-game stretch in the Spartans three-year history.
The Spartans take a 1-0 lead in the series.
UD continues its five-game homestand as they take on their third, first-year program in a row, Cornell College (0-7), this Sunday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. Wartburg defeated Cornell, 9-3, on March 14 for their lone win of the year.
