MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Duhawks.com) - Six different players scored for the Loras College Women's Lacrosse team in their bout with the Augsburg Auggies on Sunday, propelling the Duhawks to an early lead. Short-lived, Loras' lead turned into a halftime deficit before the Duhawks fell 22-9 in the Augsburg Dome. 

A quick strike off the opening draw put Augsburg (1-1) ahead in the first minute of play. The goal set up another opportunity for junior Kaitlyn Kutsch in the draw circle, and she took full advantage. Flipping the draw to herself, Kutsch controlled the ball and kick started the Duhawks attack.

Possessing the ball for nearly a full minute, the ball found its way back into the cradle of Kutsch. Driving towards the net, Kutsch was awarded a free position shot after a shooting space call. Breaking towards the goal, she buried a shot, evening the score at one.

The free position goal raised the spirits of the purple and gold, giving the Duhawks the momentum. 

After a bundle of shots went wide and high, the Auggies chased down a rebound and plowed their way into their attacking zone. A deep pass was intercepted by senior Eliza Slanker, ending the Auggies threat. Coming down with the caused turnover, Slanker got the ball moving in transition, ultimately leading to another goal by Kutsch. 

With the Duhawks in front 2-1, Augsburg scored three straight over a five minute span. The trio of goals gave the Auggies a two-goal advantage, 4-2, with 16:51 to play in the half.

Losing the ensuing draw, sophomore Megan Henry tracked down a ground ball and flung a pass to junior Nadia Duarte. Using her speed to move through the midfield, Duarte sent a pass up to freshman Haley Sundquist. Aggressive play allowed Sundquist to  slice and dice her way through the Augsburg back line before firing a shot into the back of the net. A momentum shifting play, Sundquist's goal pulled the Duhawks within one.

Sticking with the formula that brought them success, the Duhawks won the next draw allowing sophomore Hannah Nelson to tally her first goal of the season and even the score at four. 

Despite Augsburg winning the draw, the Duhawks forced a turnover and carried it into their attacking third. Working the ball around the eight meter, sophomore Anna Schwalbe capitalized on an open lane and drove to the goal. Using her height, Schwalbe slipped a pass up and over her defender for the goal. 

With the Duhawks leading 5-4, Augsburg rattled off another trio of goals, giving them an 8-5 edge at the midway point.

Loras opened the second half with back-to-back goals by Kutsch, cutting the deficit to one, 8-7. 

A quick response by Augsburg set the teams up for another draw. Struggling in the draw, the Duhawks used an Augsburg turnover to move the ball in transition. Freshmen Nia Stompanato and Sammi Wichgers combined to help the ball move up field and into the cradle of freshman Sarah Hanson. Bull dozing her way to the goal, Hanson earned a free position shot and cashed in for her first career goal. 

Despite a late goal by senior Gina Dacy, the firepower of the Auggies proved to be too much for the Duhawks to handle. A 13-1 run by Augsburg to close the game, sent the Duhawks home with a 22-9 loss.

Game Changer
After Loras cut the deficit to one on a goal by freshman Sarah Hanson, the Auggies closed the game on a 13-1 run. 

Key Stat
Following a relatively even opening half, Loras was held to just eight shots in the second half. Meanwhile, the balanced firepower of Augstana rattled off 30 shots in the final 20 minutes.

Notables

• Junior Kaitlyn Kutsch set a new program record, picking up seven ground balls in the loss
• Freshman goalkeeper Ashley McGee recorded 16 saves in the loss, boasting a .421 save percentage
• Senior Gina Dacy, sophomores Anna Schwalbe and Hannah Nelson, and freshman Sarah Hanson scored their first goals of the season
• Six different players scored in the game, the most players to score in the same game in program history

Quotable
Head coach Emily Goetz
"We're able to do things that our teams haven't been able to do before. Now it's time to iron it out and play together as one."

Up Next
The Duhawks will have a month to iron out the kinks from this weekend before they clash with the Carroll Pioneers on March 21. Loras travels to Waukesha, Wisconsin for the 2 p.m. start.