Strong Start Keeps Women’s Lacrosse Rolling
Apr 3, 2016
BOX SCORE
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Eight different players scored and senior attacker Kelly Wetherald handed out four assists in a 13-4 first half that propelled the University of Dubuque women’s lacrosse team to a 16-8 win over Benedictine University on Sunday afternoon.
Wetherald added three goals and finished with a career-high five assists as the Spartans won their seventh straight game.
The Spartans didn’t waste any time as midfielders Cassandra Berger and Alora Esparza gave UD (7-1) the quick 2-0 edge just a minute and three seconds into the game. By the 16:44 mark of the first half the Spartans held a 6-1 advantage thanks to a pair of assists from Wetherald and a pair of scores from Berger.
Berger, Wetherald, and midfielder Robyn Wittkopf each scored three goals a piece with Wittkopf adding three assists. Esparza had one of her best all-around games and finished with two goals, one assist, three ground balls, four draw controls, and two caused turnovers.
UD more than doubled Benedictine in numerous categories including shot, 22-9, ground balls, 12-6, and draw controls, 12-6, heading into the break. Their 13 goals at half eclipsed their team total in three of their games this season.
The Spartans traded goals with Benedictine (4-5) in the second half, as the Eagles scored a pair in the final 14 minutes after playing a woman down due to one of their players collecting two yellow cards during the game.
Spartan goalkeeper Kaley Weir improved to 6-1 after collecting six saves and a team-high five ground balls.
UD won its third straight over Benedictine and improved to 3-1 in the all-time series. The Spartans defeated the Eagles, 24-4, in their 2015 season opener for their biggest win in school history.
The Spartans face Aurora University (Ill.) on the road this Tuesday, April 5 at 4:00 p.m.
