Women’s Lacrosse Finishes Record-Breaking Season in Winning Fashion
Apr 30, 2016
BOX SCORE
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque women’s lacrosse team extended their school wins record and the greatest single-season scorer in UD history, attacker Kelly Wetherald, scored five goals to lead the Spartans past Elmhurst, 15-9, in their season finale on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
UD (11-6, 2-5 CCIW) snapped a two-game skid and ran away from Elmhurst after outscoring the Bluejays, 8-4, in the second half.
Wetherald, who finished the season with a school-best 55 goals, netted four of her five goals in a 10-0 run for the Spartans that spanned both halves. Her final score gave UD the 14-5 edge with 9:42 remaining and sealed the deal for the Spartans.
The decisive run broke open a back-and-forth first half that featured three ties and two lead changes en route to a 7-5 Spartan advantage at the break. Bluejay starter and leading scorer, Meghan Keyes, scored three of her four goals in that span, but was held scoreless until 7:53 to go in the game.
The Spartans held the Bluejays (4-12, 0-6 CCIW) winless in conference play while outshooting the Bluejays, 36-23, and collecting more ground balls, 36-26.
Midfielder Alora Esparza did a little bit of everything in the pouring rain after scoring two goals, dishing out four assists, and nabbing a season-high nine ground balls. The junior was also one of only three Spartans to not commit a turnover.
Freshman goalkeeper Ambryn Dittmer (2-0) won the first start of her career after filling in for the injured Kaley Weir. Dittmer saved five shots in the win.
The Spartans have steadily improved under head coach Kendall Loggins, winning four, nine, and 11 games, respectively, in Loggins’ first three seasons. UD has finished in the Top-5 of the CCIW standings in both seasons of membership.
