COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After a slow start that produced a 1-1 tie after one quarter of action between the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's lacrosse team and Westminster College, the Mountain Lions would hang 16 goals on the Griffins while holding them to six scores in the final three quarters. The 17-7 win at home over WC marked the Mountain Lions third straight win and their fourth victory of the season.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UCCS 17, Westminster 7
Records: UCCS (4-6, 3-1 RMAC), WC (3-3, 2-2 RMAC)
Facility | Location: Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions, who have won the last thee contests against the Griffins, are 5-3 all-time over WC.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- As the Mountain Lions have done all season long, they were quick to score when Allie Schell connected with Brielle Fannin 75 seconds from the opening draw, but the lead was knotted by Lauren Shoughro's goal at 8:07.
- After almost a full quarter without scoring a goal, the Mountain Lions started the second stanza aggressively, netting three goals in less than four minutes. Julia Patrick's player-down goal gave UCCS a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish before Brennan Kelly and Patrick found the back of the net again, giving the home team a three-goal cushion, 4-1.
- Celia Fidanaza netted the only goal for the Griffins in the second quarter, but the Mountain Lions responded as Patrick landed a hat trick with 6:39 left in the first half, added by Schell's 12th goal of the season 90 seconds later.
- Leading 6-2 at halftime, both teams tacked on 10 goals in the third quarter. Kelly claimed the first goal of the second half two minutes into the half. After Fidanaza netted her second straight goal for WC, Schell, Erica Rivera and Olivia Evans bumped the Mountain Lions led to 8-3 as Ava Goodnature, Kelly and Fannin each found the back of the net in the trio of goals.
- WC responded to score back-to-back goals, marking the first and only time of the game they were able to net two straight goals, but the home team took a 12-6 lead heading into the final stanza. Once again, the Mountain Lions defensive unit and staunch goaltending by Madison McGriff held the Griffins to just one goal in a quarter for the third time today. Ruina Page netted WC's lone goal in the final 15 minutes as Evans, Sarah Watts, Fannin, Schell and Patrick closed the game by scoring the final five goals.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- The Mountain Lions owned a 29-25 shots advantage (22-18 shots on goal), and picked up 28 ground balls to WC's 24.
- UCCS was successful on 16-of-20 clear attempts, but the Griffins won 16 of the 28 draws.
- Patrick and Fannin each registered hat tricks this afternoon. Patrick led both teams with four goals and finished the game with two assists for six points, and she attempted a game high nine shots. Three of Schell's five points came from goals, while Rivera, Evans, Fannin and Kelly each netted two goals.
- Kelly added three assists to match Schell's five points and she attempted three shots.
- Kendra Knutson helped UCCS keep the Griffins offensive attack at bay, causing two turnovers and picking up four ground balls.
- Teammates Kathryn Kossack and McGriff tied Knutson with a team high four ground balls.
- McGriff played all 60 minutes in goal, stopping 11 shots on goal as part of a .611 save percentage.
- The Griffins were led by Fidanaza's two goals and two assists, and Gabriella Cheminant's game high five ground balls.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS recorded a season high 28 ground balls and 13 assists. Patrick's nine shot attempts are the most in a game by any Mountain Lion this season.
- Kelly tallied a career high three assists and five points.
- Patrick posted her sixth hat trick of the season and the eighth of her career. Patrick's four goals today is the fourth game this season she has scored at least four goals. Patrick, who scored the final goal of the game on a player-up possession, ties the all-time school record with Angela Naugton and Natalie Church for most player-up goals in a career (eight).
- Schell's three goals marks her second straight hat trick and the third of her career.
- Ten games into the season, McGriff leads the RMAC in saves per game (11.40) and ground balls per game (4.50), and she is second in save percentage (.460), and fourth in goals against average (13.74).
- Patrick is currently third in the league in points per game (3.80), fourth in goals per game (3.00) and fourth in shots per game (5.30).
- Fannin's 1.40 assists per game are the fourth most in the RMAC.
UP NEXT
- UCCS will remain at home when they take on Colorado Mesa University on Saturday, April 8 at 1 p.m.
SOCIAL
Twitter – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – GoMountainLions
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.
