COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Sophomore goalkeeper
Madison McGriff made nine saves in 45 minutes of action to lead the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's lacrosse team to a 19-8 win over Colorado State University Pueblo Tuesday afternoon at Mountain Lion Stadium. The win marked McGriff's ninth career win in goal for the Mountain Lions, making her the all-time program leader in wins.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: UCCS 19, CSU Pueblo 8
- Records: UCCS (4-3, 1-1 RMAC) | CSUP (0-6, 0-2 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions now even the all-time series with CSU Pueblo at 3-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Colorado State Pueblo struck first on the scoreboard as Ashley Hendricks netted her 10th goal of the season. UCCS quickly responded to score five straight goals to take a 6-1 lead they would not relinquish.
- Regan Olson tied the game with her fourth goal of the season four minutes into the game. Hannah Mill followed with back-to-back goals before Audrey Napp connected with Julia Patrick at 7:28 for a 4-1 lead. The Mountain Lions took advantage of the ThunderWolves in the penalty box as Mill's first goal and Patrick's score were both player-up goals.
- Natalie Church joined the scoring spree with back-to-back goals. Her second goal of the game at 4:30 in the first quarter marked her 100th career goal. Hendricks was able to fine the back of the net again before Patrick answered with her second goal of the game to give UCCS a 7-2 lead after one quarter of action.
- Church recorded a hat trick on an unassisted goal to open the second quarter, but the Pack's Hendricks' found Caira Lessick for their third score of the game with 8:21 left in the first half. Immediately following Lessick's goal, a 45-minute lightening delay occurred sending both teams off the field. Coming out of the delay, the Mountain Lions kept the heat on the Pack, scoring three straight goals within 30 seconds. Playing a Mountain Lion down didn't stop Ava Goodnature and Hannah Koopal from getting past the Pack's defense and goalie as they put two away in the final minutes of the first half for a 14-3 halftime lead. Koopal's go with 56 seconds left in the half gave UCCS a 10-goal lead that they held onto for the rest of the match.
- The second half belonged to the Mountain Lions as they scored five goals in the third stanza while holding CSUP to only two goals. Audrey Napp's goal as time extended in the third period gave the Mountain Lions a 13-goal lead, their largest of the game.
- Three of the Pack's eight goals came in the final quarter as the Mountain Lions notched their first win of the season, improving to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in RMAC contests.
GAME STATISTICS
- Four Mountain Lions recorded a hat trick behind Patrick's game high four goals and eight points (two assists). Mill and Church each scored three goals and assisted on two more.
- Scoring multiple goals were Napp and Meghan Weiss with two apiece, followed by Beck-Davis, Holly Sodomka, Regan Olson, Koopal and Goodnature. Sodomka's goal at 8:10 in the second quarter proved to be the game-winning goal.
- Patrick attempted a game high eight shots as Church and Mill chipped in seven and six each, respectively. Church played both ends of the field, picking up a team high six ground balls and causing three turnovers.
- McGriff played the first three quarters of the game, allowing five goals and making nine saves. Antonia Batuella finished the final 15 minutes protecting the goal, stopping three shots on goal and surrendering three goals.
- The Mountain Lions outshot the ThunderWolves, 40-28 and picked up 37 ground balls to the Packs 28.
- Hendricks scored three of CSUP's eight goals while goalkeeper Annika Ponse picked up a game high seven ground balls.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS is on a four-game winning streak, tying last year's program record for most consecutive wins.
- The Mountain Lions posted several season highs against the ThunderWolves in shots on goal (32), saves (12), ground balls (37) and clears (21).
- Patrick added individual season highs with her four goals, eight shots and six shots on goal. Church's six ground balls are the most by any Mountain Lion this season.
UP NEXT
- UCCS will play two more home games this weekend when they play host to Westminster College on Friday, April 1, and Colorado Mesa University on Sunday, April 3. Both games will begin at 1 p.m.
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
