Women's Lacrosse escapes with victory over North Central

MEQUON, Wis. - Veronika Metanova made the most important play of the game, saving a North Central shot with three seconds to play preserving a Concordia Wisconsin 10-9 non-conference victory on Saturday afternoon at Fitting Field. Lauren Paquin netted three goals during the Falcons four-goal outburst in the final minutes.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 10, North Central 9
Location: Fitting Field (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 3-0, North Central 1-1

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons scored four goals during a five-plus minute span late in the game to overcome a three-goal deficit, but it was Veronika Metanova who made the most important play of the game. Following a turnover by CUW, the Cardinals went the length of the field and had a point-blank shot but Metanova made the stop.
- Lauren Paquin tallied a hat trick during the Falcons impressive offensive outburst to dispatch another deficit down the stretch within a week's time. She scored the game-winner off a free-position attempt with one minute and 52 seconds left on the clock.
- The game was in limbo midway through the second half following a Sabrina Boehlke goal to tie the scoreboard at 6-all. North Central netted three-straight goals over the next three minutes and 21 seconds to take control of the momentum, and appear to be on it's for a road win.
- The game could have been different, hadn't it been for a pair of Cardinal goals that were disallowed for illegal sticks during the second half. North Central was leading 7-6 when a goal was taken off the scoreboard with 13 minutes to play and the second was removed with five minutes to play and the visitors leading 9-8.
- Paquin (freshman, Waukesha, Wis.) led all players with five goals, to go along with a career-high five caused turnovers.
- Metanova tallied eight saves in a complete game effort, while also picked up five ground balls and causing three turnovers.
- Sophomore Allison Kurek (Chicago, Ill.) ended with two goals, two assists, 10 draw controls wins, three ground balls and three caused turnovers.
- Freshman Victoria Dahl (Stillwater, Minn.) ended with a pair of goals, while Boehlke recorded a goal, assist and two caused turnovers.
- Senior Nina Puch (Des Plaines, Ill.) played in the field for the first time in her career and had four ground balls and five caused turnovers. Senior Katherine Pauletti (Roseville, Minn.) caused a trio of turnovers and picked up a career-high-tying five ground balls.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Kurek's 10 draw control wins were tied for the third most in a game in program history.
- The Falcons 18 caused turnovers were tied for the ninth most in a game in program history.
- Senior Paige Cowgill (Glenview, Ill.) assisted on her first career goal after Paquin scored with 2:13 to play, which tied the game at 9-9.
- Dahl's goals were the first of her career.
- Metanova's three caused turnovers tied a career high.

THE OPPOSITION
- Claire Norfleet tallied four goals, while Madison Maas had two goals and an assist. Kassie Whaling assisted on a pair of scores and Gina Fisher recorded a goal and two assists.
- Fisher picked up a game-high 10 ground balls and caused eight turnovers. Emily Zadny won three draw controls and caused a pair of turnovers.
- Kat Schultz made 11 saves between the pipes during a complete game losing effort.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons travel to Aurora for 4 pm Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference game on Wednesday.