Marquette, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University lacrosse team stayed strong from the start, holding the Saints to just three shots in the first half and had four freshman Wildcats score their first college career goals to defeat Aquinas 24-5.

Leading in points was Wildcat fifth year senior Minnie Bittell with six goals and one assist for seven points, followed by senior Kaitlyn Bridger with one goal and four assists for five points. Freshman Josie Lakosky made an impressive start for the Wildcats scoring three goals and an assist for four points overall. 

Bittell scored her 150th career goal in the first 10 minutes of the game and held a 85.7 shot percentage. 

How it Happened - 
Minnie Bittell opened up the scoring for the Wildcats with a shot from inside the eight meter. Just two minutes later, freshman Josie Lakosky scored her first career goal. Laine Stanton and Avery Lorinser scored their first goals in their Wildcat careers in the first quarter. Bittell had two more goals in the final minutes of the quarter to complete her hat-trick. Lakosky also scored an additional two goals with assists from Lorinser. 

Junior Peyton Smith was awarded a free position shot and successfully scored her first of the season. Freshman Payton Ross scored her first college goal but Aquinas answered back with their first goal of the game. The 'Cats finished the half 14-2 on running time. 

The Saints returned in the third quarter with a goal in the first 30 seconds. NMU celebrated a pair of goals from Smith and Junior Ella Larsen followed by a successful free position attempt from Senior Jane Taylor before the end of the quarter. 

Bittell scored her fifth and sixth goals of the game in the first three minutes of the final quarter before assisting freshman Abby Sisson's first career goal. Aquinas was able to squeak a goal by the goaltender. The 'Cats stayed consistent scoring with goals from junior Camryn Mayer, sophomore Bella Detienne and Senior Clara Johnson to close out the game. 

Up Next
The Wildcats will host the Lewis University Flyers on Friday, Feb. 16th at 5 p.m. and the Quincy University Hawks on Sunday, Feb. 18th at 12 p.m. in the Superior Dome.