MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras College Women's Lacrosse team opened their 2015 season on Saturday night, taking on the Lady Reds of Carthage College. A tight game in the opening minutes thanks to two goals from junior Kaitlyn Kutsch, slipped away from the Duhawks as they fell 24-3 in the Augsburg Dome.

A pair of goals by the Lady Reds (1-0) put the Duhawks (0-1) playing catch up from the start, trailing 2-0 with 28 minutes to play in the opening frame. 

On the ensuing draw, junior Kaitlyn Kutsch outworked a few Carthage players before coming up with the ball. Flying up field, Kutsch tripped up a few defenders, giving her an open lane. Taking advantage of the space, Kutsch drove to the net and fired a shot past Carthage keeper Taylor Sopron. 

After a quick response from the Lady Reds, Kutsch and the Loras attack went back to work. With the Duhawks offense in motion, a hole in the Carthage defense was exposed. Kutsch took full advantage, breaking past her defender on an isolation drive to the net. Recognizing the keepers position, Kutsch fired a shot between Sopron's legs and into the back of the net. 

Carthage responded with five straight goals, forcing a Loras timeout. 

Returning to the field regrouped, the Duhawks attempted to chip away at the deficit. New faces gained some steam, but were unable to capitalize on opportunities. Freshman Sarah Hanson flung a pass from the eight meter to fellow freshman Haley Sundquist in front of the net. Sundquist's shot went wide, ending the Duhawks threat. 

In the meantime, Carthage extended their lead to 13-2 with just under four minutes to play before halftime. 

The Duhawks caught a break late in the half when junior Nadia Duarte tracked down a ground ball. Eluding her defender, Duarte pushed the ball up field to sophomore Megan Henry. Using her speed, Henry transitioned the ball up field, eventually breezing by her defender. With Henry flying into the attacking third, Sundquist's defender stepped into help. Henry saw her open teammate and ditched the ball to Sundquist who drove in for her first career goal with 1:16 to play in the half. 

The Lady Reds added another goal before halftime, giving them the 14-3 edge at the midway point.

Keeping the pressure on the Duhawks, Carthage opened the second half with two quick goals. From that point on Loras' backline was under constant pressure, with the Lady Reds sending 20 shots in the half. Despite a strong defensive effort by senior Eliza Slanker that included a few blocked shots and lockdown defense on her mark, the Duhawks could not keep pace, eventually falling 24-3.

Game Changer
Two goals by junior Kaitlyn Kutsch within the first ten minutes of play, pulled the Duhawks within one. Carthage responded with 10 unanswered goals, taking control of the game before halftime.

Key Stat
Loras mustered just 12 shots while the Lady Reds fired off 38. 

Notables

• Junior Kaitlyn Kutsch dominated the draw controls, tallying 10 on the night
• Freshman Haley Sundquist scored the first goal of her Duhawk career in the loss
• Freshman Ashley McGee tallied nine saves in her first career start between the pipes

Quotable
Head coach Emily Goetz

"Kaitlyn dominating on the draw controls for us is huge. It puts us in a good position if we can possess the ball. On defense, Eliza has improved tremendously from last season. Her breakdown steps and awareness of opponents, really strengthens our defense." 

"One of the things we need to work on is recognizing the double and triple teams. If we can see it coming we can switch fields and hit our trail options. We have to get better at supporting the ball and handling our sticks under pressure."

Up Next 
A quick turnaround pits the Duhawks against host Augsburg on Sunday. Loras will tackle the Auggies at 12 p.m. with hopes of bouncing back from Saturday's result.