MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan women's lacrosse team built momentum in the second half to pull away from the Lewis University Flyers with a 14-11 win. 

The teams entered the locker room at the half at a 5-5 deadlock, but the 'Cats went on a 9-0 run between the entire 3rd quarter and the start of the fourth quarter to pull ahead nine goals with a hair over 10 minutes of game time left. The 'Cats outshot the Flyers 11-3 in the third frame, held Lewis to only one shot on goal, picked up four ground balls to none, and caused five Lewis turnovers.

Leading in points for the second straight game were senior Minnie Bittell (7) and senior Kaitlyn Bridger (4) for the Wildcats. Flyers junior Meltonique Bowen (6) led the way for Lewis. Junior defenders Dayna Carlson and Maddi Bast were a force to be reckoned with, totaling seven caused turnovers and six ground balls.

Bittell scored six of her seven shots, all on target for an 85% shot percentage. 

Overall, the 'Cats outshot the Flyers 28-18, scooped 23 ground balls to 14, and caused 14 turnovers to nine. 


How it Happened
Bittell had an unassisted goal to open up the scoring for the 'Cats. After dodging through two defenders, junior Taylor Priestly scored off of a bounce shot through the goalkeeper's legs. The Flyers then scored four straight goals to take a 4-2 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. 

Bittell dodged her defender just short of the crease to put another one on the board for NMU. Freshman Avery Lorinser tied the score with a bounce shot, assisted by sophomore Laine Stanton from the top of the eight-meter. 

Freshman goalkeeper Lauren Esposito shut down a free position attempt by the Flyers in the final three seconds of the half to keep the score 5-5 heading into the locker room. 

Bridger had two early goals in the second half to regain the lead for the 'Cats. Carlson had back-to-back caused turnovers to clear the ball down to Flyers territory. Priestly had a clean pass to sophomore Bella Detienne in front of the crease for a quick shot past the Lewis goalkeeper. 

Bittell and Bridger had seven of the goals scored for the Wildcats in the second half while the Flyers only had six total goals to end the game 14-11 in favor of the 'Cats. 


Up Next 
The Wildcats face off against the Quincy University Hawks on Sunday, Feb. 18th at noon.