The Saint Mary’s lacrosse team saw a continuation of an inconsistent season Sunday afternoon. After inclement weather pushed their game against Carroll (WI) back from its original scheduled date of Saturday, the Belles struggled to both create chances and finish them in a lopsided 15-2 defeat.
Carroll wasted no time asserting control over the contest. Just two games after outscoring Edgewood 6-0 in the first quarter, the Belles were on the wrong end of a shutout this time through the first 15 minutes. The Pioneers opened the scoring just 53 seconds in on a goal by Trina Hardin. Less than two minutes later, Samantha Hurd would tally her first of three goals in the frame and four in the game. Rebecca Hallman’s goal just after nine minutes into the match would stand up as the game-winner — and would also be the first of two goals in a 50-second span for the Pioneers.
The Belles did not get on the board until senior midfielder Molly Mullett found the back of the net in the second quarter. By then, St. Mary’s was already trailing 8-0. The Belles’ only other goal came in the third quarter courtesy of sophomore attacker Christiana Singler. While St. Mary’s managed just two goals as a team, five Pioneers accounted for at least that many of their own. Hurd (four goals), Hallman (three goals) and Clara Jelacic (three goals) all outscored the Belles singlehandedly.
The Pioneers had the better of play for most of the contest, outshooting St. Mary’s 22-12 and winning draw controls by a convincing 16-5 margin. Alicia Van Dale was sensational for the Pioneers in net, stopping 10 of the 12 shots she faced. Meanwhile, the Belles started sophomore Emma Zmudzinski, but switched to freshman Mila Swiacki for the second half. Neither goaltender was able to slow down the Pioneers, with both sub-.400 save percentages.
Both teams entered the game with momentum. Carroll had won four of their last five and tied a season-high with 20 goals in their previous contest against Concordia University. The loss was particularly shocking for St. Mary’s because they had set a season-best with 18 goals just two games earlier in an 18-4 win over Edgewood. The Belles had won two straight and three of four before Sunday’s defeat.
The Belles will have a chance to put this result behind them soon, however. St. Mary’s is back in action Tuesday against North Central (Ill.) at 6 p.m. This game will be the fifth in a season-long seven-game homestand. Sunday’s loss drops the Belles to 2-2 during their homestand stretch and 5-4 on the season overall.
Read More
Trending
