Women's Lacrosse downs Robert Morris at home

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin wasn't fooling around on Tuesday afternoon during a 10-7 non-conference victory over Robert Morris at Fitting Field. The decision put the Falcons back in the win column and snapped a two-game skid.

CUW scored four of the game's last five goals, including the final two markers in the last three minutes and 18 seconds to separate itself from RMU. After the Eagles scored to cut their deficit to 8-7 with over 11 minutes to play, the Falcons played keep away during their offensive stall mode.

The tactic proved effective, as CUW limited RMU to just four shots on goal over the remaining five minutes of competition. The Falcons ended with 43 ground balls, which was one shy of tying the single game record they set on March 19 against Augsburg College at home.

Junior Sammi Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) led all players with three goals – two free-position tallies – to go along with an assist, eight ground balls and five draw control wins. Junior Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) tied the program's single game record for ground balls with 10. She also scored twice, assisted on two goals, won three draw controls and caused a pair of turnovers.

Junior Hayley Peppers (Franktown, Colo.), who leads the nation in ground balls, picked up seven loose balls. The midfielder also tallied two goals, two assists, two draw control wins and caused three turnovers.

Defensively, freshman Veronika Metanova (Palatine, Ill.) made numerous impressive saves between the pipes and ended with 10 saves in a winning effort. Sophomore Katherine Pauletti (Roseville, Minn.) had a career-high four ground balls and sophomore Sabrina Boehlke (Random Lake, Wis.) picked up four ground balls and caused two turnovers. Senior Breanne Geipel (Hartland, Wis.) caused a trio of turnovers.

Jennifer Smith and Taylor O'Gara led the Eagles (8-4) with two goals each. Terra Ringo picked up a team-high eight ground balls and Ashley Deutschlander caused a game-best five turnovers. Quintina Mengyan and Emily Bernard combined to make 13 saves in goal.

CUW was more efficient in clearing the ball, as it converted 14-of-19 attempts, while also scoring the game's only two free-position markers.

It was difficult to gauge who would take control, as there were five lead changes and four scoring ties during the first 47 minutes and 45 seconds of play. The difference was CUW's four goals in the last 17:15, including Reiter's two free-position tallies.

CUW (5-2) returns to the field on Saturday with a 2 p.m. CDT Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference matchup at the College of Mount St. Joseph. They will also play at Otterbein University on Sunday in an 11 a.m. CDT non-conference game.