Women's Lacrosse holds on for win over Beloit

MEQUON, Wis. – It was an intense Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference matchup on Wednesday afternoon, as Concordia University Wisconsin outlasted Beloit College for an 8-7 victory at Fitting Field.

There were six lead changes and five scoring ties in the back-and-forth league contest, but it was Emily Heckendorf's goal with just under six minutes to play that was the game-changer. The Falcons found themselves down early in the first half, before their offense heated up and took control.

BC (4-6, 2-5 MWLC) owned a 3-1 lead with 24:55 on the scoreboard in the opening period, but CUW answered by scoring four of the next five goals to take a 5-4 lead into the locker room at halftime. Goals were traded in the second half and the Falcons used the stall tactic to hold on for the victory.

After CUW scored the go-ahead marker it committed five turnovers in the last 4:26, while BC had a pair of close-range shots that could have tied the game. The Falcons defense then tightened up down the stretch to limit the Buccaneers. 

Heckendorf (sophomore, Merrill, Wis.) led all players with three goals, while sophomore Hayley Peppers (Franktown, Colo.) added a pair of goals. Sophomore Hannah Redden (Libertyville, Ill.) recorded two goals and a pair of assists for the Falcons.

Peppers also picked up a game-high-tying five ground balls and won three draw controls. Senior Meuwissen (Chanhassen, Minn.) picked up five ground balls and Heckendorf won three draw controls.

Sara Fithian tallied a pair of scores for BC, which is a first-year program. Five other Buccaneers added a goal in the defeat. Marcail Distante and Kayleigh Kavanagh each picked up five ground balls. Michelle Dillon made 11 saves between the pipes.

Statistics were even in nearly every category, except CUW's 21 turnovers compared to BC's 30. The Falcons caused 12 turnovers.

CUW (6-5, 4-3 MWLC) returns to action on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Benedictine University at Fitting Field. With a victory the Falcons can clinch a spot in the MWLC Tournament for the first time in program history.