MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU women's lacrosse team exploded on offense today, scoring 21 goals en route to a decisive victory on senior day.
The green and gold were led by senior
Minnie Bittell, who matched career-highs in single-game points with nine, senior
Kaitlyn Bridger, who matched her career-high in single-game goals, and freshman
Josie Lakosky, who notched career-highs in goals and points.
The 'Cats never trailed in this one, and now improve to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in GLIAC play. The Golden Bears fall to 6-8 overall and 1-2 in GLIAC competition.
Cat Nips
- Minnie Bittell matched a career-high in points with nine (5g, 4a) and set a career high in ground balls with six
- Bittell has now registered five or more points in 11 of the 14 games
- Josie Lakosky set career-highs in goals (6) and points (7), leading the field in goals scored
- Kaitlyn Bridger scored five times, matching her single-season career high
- Laine Stanton posted career highs in goals (4), assists (1), points (5) and ground balls (3)
- The team set season-highs in shots (53), shots on goal (43), and ground balls (28)
- The Wildcats' 53 shots is the most in a single game since 3/20/22 vs Upper Iowa (57)
- The Wildcats improve to 7-2 at home and 6-1 in the previous seven games
- This is the third time the 'Cats have scored 20 or more goals in a game this year (2/10 vs Aquinas, 2/24 vs CSB, 4/13 vs CSP)
How It Happened
The 'Cats opened the game with all of the seniors in the starting 12, with both Bittell and Bridger making an impact on the scoreboard with early goals, followed by a great save in tight from Fornek to keep the game level. The 'Cats would go on a 5-1 run to end the first quarter, highlighted by Lakosky forcing a turnover, collecting a ground ball, and finding Bittell for a buzzer-beater to take a four-goal lead into the second frame.
NMU dominated play in the second quarter, out shooting the Golden Bears 14-4 with four goals to three to take a 12-7 lead into halftime. Bittell had her fingerprints all over the first half success, registering four goals and four assists with five ground balls and two caused turnovers, leading the field in all of those categories.
Another dominant frame from the 'Cats saw three goals to one while holding an 8-2 shot advantage, a 7-3 ground ball advantage, and winning all five draws in the third quarter.
The Wildcats would score five more times in the final frame, extending the lead and finishing with a 21-12 win on senior day.
Up Next
The 'Cats hit the road for three straight to end the regular season, starting with Davenport on Friday, April 19.