Women's Lacrosse loses heartbreaker to Carthage

MEQUON, Wis. – It certainly is a difficult loss to accept, as Concordia University Wisconsin dropped a 15-13 decision to rival Carthage College after leading by eight goals midway through the first half at Fitting Field on Tuesday afternoon. The defeat could potentially be a crushing blow for the Falcons, as they hope to host a game in the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference Tournament next week.

Junior Sammi Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) scored three times to help the Falcons charge to a commanding 8-0 advantage midway through the first half. It looked as if CUW would cruise to another victory, especially one against a MWLC rival it has never beaten.

The Lady Reds responded with three-consecutive goals before Reiter recorded her fourth marker of the game before the intermission to give the Falcons a 9-3 lead. Carthage flexed its muscle during the final 30 minutes of play, as it outscored CUW 12-4 to earn the come-from-behind triumph.

Reiter scored her sixth tally and CUW's final of the game with 7:44 remaining to stop five-consecutive goals scored by CC. Her marker gave the Falcons a 13-12 lead and hope during the cold and blustery matchup.

The lead didn't last long because the Lady Reds scored three more times to put the exclamation point on their victory. CC scored four free-position goals, which all came in the second half. CUW might have had a chance late in the game to extend the contest into overtime, but a yellow card forced them to play a player down for the final one minute and 47 seconds.

Senior Aly Pinkos (South Milwaukee, Wis.) and junior Emily Heckendorf (Merrill, Wis.) each scored twice for the Falcons, while junior Hannah Redden (Libertyville, Ill.) had a goal and two assists. Reiter led all players with four caused turnovers.

Junior Hayley Peppers (Franktown, Colo.) had a career-high and tied the program record with 11 draw control wins. She also picked up 15 ground balls, which was one shy of tying the program's single game record that she owns.

Lauren Chatham and Sydney Whitaker led the Lady Reds comeback with five and four goals, respectively. Chatham also recorded three assists, six ground balls and three caused turnovers. Taylor Holleschau ended with two scores, nine ground balls and two caused turnovers.

CUW has two home games remaining in the regular season beginning on Sunday with a 4 p.m. MWLC game against Loras College before hosting the University of Dubuque on Sunday at 1 p.m.