ST. PAUL, Minn. – The NMU lacrosse team (9-5, 3-1) traveled to Concordia University – St. Paul (6-9, 2-4) for a GLIAC matchup. After trailing 2-0 early, the Wildcats would go on to win by a four point margin against the Golden Bears at 11-7.

Madi Bast and Kaitlyn Bridger led the WIldcats in goals with three each, followed by  Minnie Bittell with two of her own. Hannah Melander made a total of twelve saves in the game, posting a .632 SV%. Bridger had the most shots on goal with six and Bittell followed with five.

As a team, the Wildcats led in shots on goal with 23 to CSP's 19, posted 22 ground balls to CSP's 20, along with 13 draw controls to the Golden Bears' eight. 

How it Happened
The Concordia Golden Bears kicked off the game with two goals within the first four minutes. This fueedl the Wildcats, as Kaitlyn Bridger and Madi Bast followed behind with two goals of their own to tie the game. Bridger made her second shot of the game which was reciprocated by Concordia's Susie Monson, and knotted the score at three a piece. Clara Johnson earned her first point of the game with the help of Katelyn Mongold to give the 'Cats a one goal lead, and the first quarter ended with a second goal from Madi Bast to put the 'Cats ahead by two at 5-3.

CSP opened the frame by striking first again, but it was soon followed by Minnie Bittell's free position goal. Bridger earned her hat trick from her own free position shot to put her at 31 goals this season. In the final seconds of the second quarter, Taylor Priestley put one in the net with Bittell's assistance. The 'Cats headed into halftime with a four point lead on the Golden Bears with a score of 8-4.

Lauren Sheets of CSP made the first shot of the second half, but it didn't seem to do much damage since Madi Bast was able to strike for a third time of the game to maintain the Green and Gold lead. Another goal from the Golden Bears had them trailing by three before Bittell scored her 42nd goal of the season, and last of the third quarter. The Wildcats headed into the final quarter with a four point lead, 10-6.

The fourth quarter slowed down and showed the power of the Wildcats defense and willingness to close out the game. The Golden Bears had two shots on goal, with Lauren Sheets scoring through a free position power play, and Katelyn Mongold closed out the game with one more shot, earning the 'Cats a crucial conference win by a score of 11-7.


NMU Goals
Bast (3), Bridger (3), Bittell (2), Johnson (1), Mongold (1), Priestley (1).

Up Next
NMU will be back on home turf when they close out the regular season against GLIAC opponents Davenport University and Grand Valley State University. The first matchup against the Davenport Panthers will be on Friday, April 21 at 5pm, with senior day on Sunday, April 23 at 12pm.