DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Double overtime was needed in the Rock Bowl on Sunday to determine a winner in the Loras College Women's Lacrosse team's bout with the Wartburg Knights. Starting hot out of the gates, the Duhawks faded before being edged out by Wartburg, 9-8.

Junior Kaitlyn Kutsch fired a feed into sophomore Hannah Nelson on a cut in front of the net after the Duhawks (2-5, 1-2) controlled the opening draw. A quick pull of the trigger by Nelson, opened the game 1-0 in favor of the Duhawks.

Kutsch tracked down the ensuing draw and quickly transitioned to the attacking third. Drawing her defender and the attention of several others, Kutsch slipped a pass to senior Gina Dacy. Using her speed, Dacy flew past her defender and drilled a shot into the back of the net. 

With Loras in charge 2-0 just over two minutes into the game, Wartburg (2-7, 2-0) called a timeout.

Charging in from the restraining line, junior Nadia Duarte scooped up the draw control out of the break. Bolting up the near sideline, Duarte passed to Nelson in the middle of the field. Looking to go to goal, Nelson drew a foul and earned a free position opportunity. Sending a bouncer past the stick of Wartburg's Karoline Paulsen, Nelson extended Loras' lead to three with 26:28 to play before halftime.

Over the course of the next 13 minutes, the Knights used five straight goals to take a 5-3 lead. 

With the Duhawks defense holding steady and freshman goalkeeper keeping the Knights from finding the back of the net, Kutsch capitalized on a free position opportunity to pull Loras within one. 

Wartburg opened the second half with a quick free position opportunity but McGee blocked it away, ending the Knights' threat. Despite picking up the rebound, the Knights turned the ball over in the midfield and Kutsch tracked it down. With Wartburg's defense on the verge of swarming her, Kutsch dished to Nelson. Taking a lane to the net, Nelson created space between her and her defender and buried a shot into the back of the net. Nelson's goal leveled the score at five with 25:07 to play.

Loras benefited from goals by Kutsch and Nelson over the next 20 minutes, while Wartburg matched their efforts, leaving the score even at seven with 3:01 to play.

Possessing for the final three minutes, the Duhawks had their fair share of opportunities but failed to capitalize, sending the game to overtime.

Wartburg scored first but Kutsch responded, leveling the score at eight through the first overtime.

Midway through the sudden death period, the Knights caused a Loras turnover and drove down field. With Megan Howe looking as if she was going to wrap the crease, McGee stepped towards her to protect the net. A quick pass from Howe was caught by Ashley Lahti running down the middle and sent into the back of the net before McGee could reposition. 

Game Changer
Wartburg scored five straight goals, taking a 5-3 lead … Loras went on to tie the game multiple times but never regained the lead

Key Stat
Loras turned the ball over 25 times while Wartburg coughed it up 21 times

Notables

• Sophomore Hannah Nelson scored a career-high four goals and added a program-record nine caused turnovers
• Junior Kaitlyn Kutsch recorded a hat trick, scoring three goals, while adding an assist 
• Sunday marked the first time in program-history that the Duhawks played overtime

Quotable 

Emily Goetz, head coach
"In the second half, our defense played more disciplined. They moved their feet, and played smart. Our checks created too many free positions for them. We just gave them easy looks at goal. Offensively, Wartburg double teamed us and shut us down."

Up Next
The Duhawks open play of their spring break trip tomorrow in Notre Dame, Indiana when Loras takes on Saint Mary's College. Opening draw is set for 4:30 p.m. (EST) on Saint Mary's Lacrosse field.