Women's Lacrosse ends season in NCAA Tournament

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Another record breaking season came to an end for Concordia University Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon, this time in the NCAA Division III Tournament to Augustana College, 19-13, at Thorson-Lucken Field.

The Falcons did what they could against the nation's top scoring team, but five-consecutive goals by the Vikings in the second half pushed the deficit to double-figures, which was too much to overcome. CUW was much improved in the second half; keeping even in goals, draw controls and ground balls as Augustana. However, the Vikings defense was stout in allowing the Falcons to convert just 11-of-23 clear attempts and forcing 23 turnovers.

CUW was again balanced offensive with seven players finding the back of the net, with senior Sammi Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) and freshman Allison Kurek (Chicago, Ill.) each recording a hat trick. Seniors Hayley Peppers (Franktown, Colo.) and Hannah Redden (Libertyville, Ill.) each scored twice, while Redden led the team with three assists.

Kurek paced the Falcons with four draw control wins and two caused turnovers. In all, eight Falcons picked up multiple ground balls. In goal, senior Rebecca David (Oregon, Wis.) played just over 56 minutes and made nine saves, including seven in the first half.

Anne Hopkins and Hilary Kargl combined for 10 goals, while Kargl assisted on three Augustana scores. Kelly Stelzer also added hat trick, while eight different players won a draw control for the hosts. Emily Handrahan recorded a pair of goals, both on free-position attempts.

The Vikings charged out of the gates and held a 5-1 lead midway through the first half, before three unanswered goals before the intermission to extend their lead to 10-4. The Falcons got to within five goals, 13-8, after consecutive goals scored by Reiter and Peppers. Augustana would respond and put the game out of reach with five-straight goals to push its advantage to 18-8 with 5:36 to play.

The Falcons finish the season with a program-record 13 victories and set nine season and six game statistical records throughout the course of the season. The eight players graduating from the program took the team from three wins in 2012 to a memorable 13 victories and the program's first MWLC regular season and Tournament titles and the first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.