ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Facing their second nationally ranked opponent in as many games, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's lacrosse team nearly upended No. 10 Grand Valley State University Wednesday afternoon. The Mountain Lions fell to the Lakers in a neutral-site match, 8-7, hosted by Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: UCCS 7, GVSU 8
- Records: UCCS (0-3, 0-1 RMAC) | Grand Valley State (5-1, 0-0 GLIAC)
- Facility | Location: MWSU Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium | St. Joseph, Mo.
- All-Time Series: Grand Valley State takes a 1-0 lead in the all-time series between the Mountain Lions and Lakers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard as Julia Patrick found the back of the net just 38 seconds from the first draw. Grand Valley State responded with three straight goals to snag a 3-1 lead early in the second quarter.
- After three and a half minutes of scoreless action, Angela Naughton brought the Mountain Lions within one goal of the Lakers, 3-2 on a free-position goal, but back-to-back goals from Sophie Conroy and Halle Nedobhin in the final 2:22 of the first half gave the 10th-ranked team a 5-2 lead at the half.
- Hannah Koopal took advantage of a Lakers player in the penalty box to net a goal on Audre Napp's assist just two minutes into the second half.
- Trailing 6-3, the Mountain Lions would go on a scoring spree, netting four of the next five goals. This time Napp was on the receiving end of a pass from Natalie Church for the final score of the third quarter and just a two-goal deficit to the Lakers, 6-4. After a GVSU goal, Koopal tagged on her second goal of the game with 6:08 left in regulation before Church fired off two straight goals in 76 seconds to knot the game at 7-7 with 2:51 left in regulation.
- A clear attempt by the Mountain Lions failed as GVSU forced a turnover and then a foul to win the game on a free position shot from Conroy, 8-7.
GAME STATISTICS
- Church led the offense with two goals and an assist for a game high three points. She also won a game high five draws while attempting two shots.
- Naughton took all three of UCCS' free position shots as she finished the game with a goal, an assist and a team high four shots.
- Koopal chipped in two goals and three shots as Morgan Miller picked up a team high four ground balls.
- Madison McGriff defended the goal for all 60 minutes, making a season high 10 saves.
- The Lakers edged the Mountain Lions in shots (24-21), shots on goal (18-14) and draws (11-8).
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Church's goal in the 56th minute made her the all-time single goals-leader in program history, breaking the lead with Kiera Lowe. Church now has 92 career goals for the Mountain Lions.
- UCCS' last two opponents have been nationally ranked in the IWLCA Top-10 (No. 9 Regis, No. 10 GVSU).
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will wrap up their first road trip of the season on Friday when they take on Missouri Western State University at 12 p.m. (MT).
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.
