Women's Lacrosse routs Benedictine in home opener

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin scored seven free-position goals en route to a record breaking 22-5 season- and home-opening victory over Benedictine University on Thursday at Fitting Field.

The Falcons 22 goals and seven free-position scores were both program records. They also forced 22 turnovers, outshot the Eagles 33-9 and held a 38-20 advantage in ground balls. Following a 4-2 lead, CUW scored 12-consecutive goals over the next 25 minutes and 11 seconds to blow the game wide open.

The 17-goal win also gave CUW the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference decision.

Junior Stephanie Barry (Gurnee, Ill.) led the Falcons with a career-high five goals, while junior Hannah Redden (Libertyville, Ill.) finished with a career-best four goals and three assists. Junior Sammi Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) scored five goals – two free-position – had an assist, won five draw controls, had a career-high eight ground balls and a career-best-tying five caused turnovers.

Junior Hayley Peppers (Franktown, Colo.) led all players with 10 ground balls, which was a program record. Junior Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) picked up a career-high eight ground balls, while Breanne Geipel (Hartland, Wis.) had a career-high-tying four ground balls to lead the Falcons defensive efforts.

Hannah Payne led the Eagles (1-2, 0-1 MWLC) with two goals, six ground balls and five draw control wins. Meena Harper had 13 saves between the pipes in a losing effort.

CUW returns to action on Wednesday for a non-conference matchup against Augsburg College at 4 p.m. at Fitting Field.