MARQUETTE, Mich. -  The Northern Michigan University lacrosse team has two more games to play before coming home for the last weekend of regular season play, with the pair of contests coming against Augsburg University on Friday, April 14, and GLIAC opponent Concordia-St. Paul on Sunday, April 16. 

The Wildcats currently sit second in the GLIAC with a 7-5 overall record and a 2-1 conference record, followed by CSP in third with a 6-8 overall record and a 2-3 conference record. Augsburg is the final non-conference opponent on the calendar, coming in at 4-7 overall and 2-1 in MWLC play (Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference). 

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Friday, April 14 - at Augsburg at 8 p.m.
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Sunday, April 16 - at Concordia-St.Paul at 1 p.m.
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Last Time Out
The 'Cats most recent matches came on March 31, and April 2, where they faced off against Grand Valley State and Davenport, dropping the first match 8-16 before winning the latter 15-5.

The team first traveled to Grand Valley State University, its fourth stop of the road series and second GLIAC matchup this season. The Lakers maintained a strong lead throughout the game and finished with an eight-point victory over the Wildcats with a score of 16-8. The most goals scored for the Wildcats came from Minnie Bittell with a solid six. Kaitlyn Bridger and Taylor Priestley each contributed one point to the score. Bittell also had the most shots on goal with nine.

The 'Cats then traveled to Davenport University for its third GLIAC matchup of the season. The Wildcats were fueled by ten unanswered goals from the second quarter through the fourth to build a lead and defeat the Panthers, 15-5. Minnie Bittell, Kaitlyn Bridger, Taylor Priestley, and Clara Johnson each netted a hat trick. Hannah Melander was stout in net, making eight saves for a .615 save percentage. Natalie McGinnis led in assists with three and Johnson while six shots on goal.


Cat Nips

• Minnie Bittell paces the 'Cats in points (44), goals (38), SOG (62), GWG (3), free position goals (14), and draw controls (56). Across the GLIAC, her 14 FPGs and 78 shots are first, her 38 goals are second, and her 44 points are third. 
• Kaitlyn Bridger is second on the team with 35 points, registering 26 goals along with her team-leading nine assists. Bridger is also second on the team in GWG (1) and ground balls (16). Her nine assists are T5 across the GLIAC.
• Maddi Bast is third on the team with 27 points. She is second on the team in goals (26), SOG (47), free position goals (11), and third in draw controls (34). Her 11 FPGs are good for second across the GLIAC. 
• Hannah Melander has been stout in the net for the 'Cats, as across the GLIAC she is first in GAA (12.09), third in saves (102), save percentage (42.7%), and goals against (137). 
• As a team, the Wildcats are first in FPGs (34), second in total goals (154), draw controls (154), shots (370), shots on goal (265), goals per game (12.83), goals allowed (138), GAA (11.66), and third in assists (45).

GLIAC Honors
February 27
Maddi Bast - Offensive Player of the Week
Hannah Melander - Defensive Player of the Week

March 20
Minnie Bittell - Offensive Player of the Week
Lauryn Rygiel - Defensive Player of the Week


A Look at Augsburg
The Auggies come into its meeting with the 'Cats coming off a 16-9 win against Wartburg College, improving to 3-2 in its last five meetings. Jade Wilson paces the Auggies in both goals (43) and points (44), with the next closest being Alexa Hoffman with 18 goals and 21 points. Nicole Schuster has started in net for all 11 matches for the Auggies this season, and holds a .414 SV% and 16.09 GAA.

This will be the first meeting in program history between the two clubs, in what should be an entertaining matchup. 


A Look at Concordia St.Paul
The Golden Bears come into their final regular season game off a 5-19 loss to Grand Valley State and are 2-3 in its last five games. Lauren Sheets paces the GLIAC in goals and points with 40 and 49, respectively, and Kayleigh Nelson's 11 assists are good for third in the GLIAC. Candace McDole is the projected starting goalie, and her 121 saves leads the GLIAC, and her 42.7 SV% comes in at second. 

The Wildcats have met the Golden Bears 11 times in program history, and the Golden Bears hold a 4-7 all-time record against the 'Cats. However, the Wildcats are 4-1 in the last five games against CSP, most recently a 13-11 win in Marquette.