MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan women's lacrosse team dominated from the opening draw, defeating the College of Saint Benedict Bennies 20-3.
The 'Cats opened the game with a 7-0 lead after the first half before taking a 12-2 lead into the half.
The game leaders were senior
Minnie Bittell (4g, 1a, 5pts) and freshman
Josie Lakosky (3g, 0a, 3pts), with 12 different Wildcats scoring throughout the afternoon game.
Natalie Thomas led the 'Cats with five ground balls, and both
Kaitlyn Bridger and
Ella Larson caused two turnovers.
Goalies
Lauren Esposito and
Brigid Fornek split time today, with Esposito recording one save on three shots and Fornek making three saves on four shots.
The Wildcats outshot the Bennies 35-8, picked up 24 ground balls to 19, were successful on 17 of 18 clears, and caused 11 turnovers.
The Wildcats now improve to 4-1 overall, and the Bennies drop their season opener to start the 2024 season 0-1.
How it Happened
Sophomore
Mya Snyder grabbed the starting draw control for the Wildcats, and Lakosky opened up the scoring with a pass from Bittell. Nearly three minutes later, Bittell had a goal of her own, en route to the 'Cats putting up five more goals unanswered before ending the quarter.
The Bennies scored their first goal of the game five minutes into the second quarter but the Wildcats were quick to answer back with a clean pass from Bridger to Lakosky who buried the ball in the back of the net. Before heading to the locker room at half, the 'Cats had goals from Bittell, Lakosky and sophomore Dani Key.
Senior
Clara Johnson was wide open in the slot when she received a crisp pass from freshman
Molly Ruhland to turn and score the first of the second half. The Bennies goaltender had a foul in the eight meter to award junior
Ella Larson the first position shot for a goal with the net vacated.
Freshman
Payton Ross buried a shot in the back of the net in the final five minutes of the game, capping off the scoring on the evening. Larson had a huge caused turnover in the final minute of the game, intercepting a goalie clear to keep the ball on offense to run down the clock.
Up Next
The Wildcats look ahead to play the McKendree Bearcats on Sunday, Feb. 25th at 12 PM.