CUW's Comeback Falls Short Against MSOE

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin's women's lacrosse fell Saturday in a tight matchup against Raiders of MSOE with a final score of 7-8.

With the loss, the Falcons' record is 4-8 overall and 0-3 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) play. 

Junior Natalie Mackrell (Stuggart, Germany) opened the score just a minute and 20 seconds into the contest on a pass from senior Eliana Fuchs (Brookfield, Wis.). 

Less than three minutes later, senior Anna Gong (Phoenix, Ariz.), on another feed from Fuchs, put the Blue and White up two to nothing. 

However, after the first quarter, MSOE scored three unanswered goals to hold a slim 3-2 advantage over Blue and White. 

Out of the break, however, sophomore Katelyn Cardinale (Mount Laurel, N.J.) scored back-to-back goals early in the frame to put CUW up 4-3, as Anna Gong and Ellie Fuchs each recorded assists. 

On cue, however, MSOE would level the score at 4-4 with 5:39 remaining in the half.

The score would remain 4-4 after one half of action. 

The third quarter would spell some trouble for the Blue and White, as MSOE outscored the Falcons 2-1 in the quarter, as Eliana Fuchs found junior Kami McCardle (Jackson, Wis.) for CUW's lone goal of the quarter. 

With a minute into the final quarter, Katelyn Cardinale willed her way to the unassisted goal to level the score at 6-6. 

However, the Raiders posted two straight goals to go up 8-6.

Determined to force overtime, Eliana Fuchs, on the free position opportunity, beat the MSOE goal to move CUW within one with 2:16 remaining. 

However, it was too late for CUW as they could not level the score and force overtime, and ultimately fell 7-8. 

In the loss, Eliana Fuchs had a team-high five draw controls and tied a career with four assists.

Senior Savannah Schweiger (Eagle, Wis.) had a team-high six ground balls, while Anna Gong had five. 

Gong and Natalie Mackrell also led the team in caused turnovers as they both forced five. 

Meanwhile, freshman Parks Cawthray (Oakville, Ont.) tied a season-high with eight saves.

From an offensive standpoint, Katelyn Cardinale had the hattrick. 

The Falcons will look to return to the win column on Wednesday when they head north to battle the Marian Sabres at 4:00 p.m.