Esparza Accounts for Eight Goals in CCIW Opening Win
Apr 9, 2016
BOX SCORE
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Junior midfielder Alora Esparza scored four goals and assisted on four more as the University of Dubuque women’s lacrosse team won their CCIW opener over Carroll, 16-3, on Saturday afternoon.
Esparza set a career-high in both and also added a career-best seven ground balls as senior attacker Kelly Wetherald added five goals for the fourth time this season. Four Spartans scored at least two goals, including Breann Tjaarda, who collected a game-high seven ground balls.
UD outshot the Pioneers (3-7, 0-1 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin), 42-17, on the game and collected twice as many ground balls, 38-19, in their seventh win of their last eight games.
Wetherald netted four goals in the first 11 minutes and Esparza notched two goals and three assists over the first half en route to a 13-3 advantage at the break.
Spartans starting goalkeeper Kaley Weir (7-2) claimed the victory and saved two shots. The freshman was relieved by Ambryn Dittmer in the 21st minute due to a collision just outside of the free position area.
UD improved to 2-0 all-time against Carroll, defeating the Pioneers in last season’s CCIW-opener, 21-6.
The Spartans head to Loras this Tuesday, April 12 at 6:00 p.m. UD is 2-2 all-time against Loras with a 16-6 win a year ago.
