Schirmers and Women's Lacrosse Survive Scare From Elmhurst
Apr 16, 2015
BOX SCORE
DUBUQUE, Iowa - After squandering a 7-0 lead, the University of Dubuque women's lacrosse team held off Elmhurst, 11-9, in its home finale behind four goals from Bridget Schirmers.
Opening up the scoring was Spartan starter Jadyn Franklin, who after being held scoreless in her first five games, has scored in the last three. Schirmers, the Spartans (9-4, 2-2 CCIW) leading scorer with 31 goals on the year, helped her out after early and often in netting three goals and dishing out one assist in UD's game-opening, 7-0 run. With a cushioned lead at the 6:04 mark of the first, the Spartans were in control until Elmhurst (6-6, 0-2 CCIW) went on a six-goal burst of their own, fueled by three goals and an assist from leading lady, Phoebe LeRoy.
The Spartans led 7-6 with 26:09 left in the game and continued the game of runs with a three-goal spurt in less than 10 minutes. The 10-6 advantage was all UD needed despite the Bluejays netting three of the game's last four goals. Elmhurst's final goal at the 3:19 mark would conclude the scoring. UD survived a pair of free position shots by Elmhurst in the final 1:47 to take home the victory.
Today's win was key for a Spartan team that sits all alone in fourth place in the CCIW with two conference games to go.
Dangerous scorers in their own right, the Spartans' Judy Borah and Robyn Wittkopf, flipped the switch in distributing two and three assists, respectively, while netting one goal a piece. Borah torched the back of the net off a Wittkopf assist for the Spartans final goal with 11:45 remaining in the game.
Breann Tjaarda did a little bit of everything and anchored the team with nine draw controls, four ground balls, and two goals.
Defensively, Jessi Tapia, secured a team-high five ground balls while goalkeeper Chelsea Hawkins stopped five Bluejay shots in her final home game for the blue and white.
The Spartans forced 34 Bluejay turnovers and outshot Elmhurst, 27-19, on the offensive end.
UD takes the 1-0 lead in the teams' first-ever meeting.
The Spartans, winners of three of their last four, hit the road for their final three games starting with Carthage College (9-4, 3-0 CCIW) this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. The Lady Reds are riding a four-game winning streak and defeated North Central, 15-13, in their last game.
