Winning streak ends for Women's Lacrosse at Carthage

KENOSHA, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin's program record five-game winning streak ended on Thursday night at Carthage College during a 10-9 non-conference loss at Art Keller Field. The Falcons cut their deficit to one goal with 3:14 to play, but couldn't get the equalizer in the closing minutes.

CUW fired from every angle it could and outshot Carthage, 34-20 (28-14 on goal), but Taylor Sopron had a spectacular game for the Lady Reds making 19 saves. The Falcons never led in the game and got to within a goal three times during the second half.

Their defense also played well forcing 23 turnovers of which 14 were caused. CUW also won 13-of-21 draw controls, but converted on just 1-of-4 free-position attempts while Carthage was successful on 4-of-5 attempts.

Allison Kurek (Chicago, Ill.) continued her impressive rookie season with a career-high-tying five goals to lead all offensive players and harassed the Lady Reds to the tune of a career-high-tying five caused turnovers, which also ties the program record. She also had a game-high six ground balls and four draw controls wins.

Senior Hayley Peppers (Franktown, Colo.) had a pair of goals, while senior Sammi Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) finished with a goal, two assists and won three draw controls. Peppers also picked up three ground balls, won three draw controls and caused two turnovers. Senior Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) picked up five ground balls and freshman Amanda McKay (Portland, Ore.) assisted on a goal, picked up four ground balls and caused two turnovers.

Madison Griffin led the Lady Reds (7-4) with four goals, two assists and three ground balls. Mackenzie Day added three goals and Rachel Mussell scored twice. Maggie Potts led the defensive efforts with three caused turnovers, while three other players caused two turnovers.

Following a 2-2 tie, the Lady Reds tallied three unanswered goals to take a three goal lead with 10:15 to play before halftime. The Falcons responded with back-to-back goals, but Carthage rattled off three in a row to lead by a game-best four goals, 8-4, at the intermission.

CUW's halftime speech and adjustments worked, because it recorded three-consecutive goals during the first four minutes and 19 seconds of the second half to get within one goal, 8-7. Each team would then trade goals the remainder of the way.

The Falcons return to the field on Saturday and Sunday for the final two homes games of the regular season. They host Cornell College on Saturday at 4 pm before hosting Wartburg College on Sunday at 1 pm on Senior Day.