NOTRE DAME, Ind. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras College Women's Lacrosse team opened their spring break trip at Saint Mary's Lacrosse Field on Monday, playing their third game in three days. Pulling within one early, the Duhawks never gained a lead, falling 17-5 to the Belles. Freshman Sarah Hanson led the way for the Duhawks, netting a hat trick on the afternoon.
The Belles (4-4) struck first, scoring two goals out of the gate, to take an early 2-0 lead.
Freshman Haley Sundquist found sophomore Anna Schwalbe in front of the net, allowing Schwalbe to bury her fifth goal of the season to pull the Duhawks (2-6, 1-2) within one early.
Over the next 20 minutes the Duhawk defense struggled to alleviate the pressure, resulting in five unanswered goals by the Belles.
With time ticking down in the first half, Hanson tallied her first goal of the afternoon, cashing in on an assist by sophomore Hannah Nelson.
Hanson's late goal sent the Duhawks to halftime, trailing 8-2.
Forced to play catch up in the second half, Hanson tallied to more goals before sophomore Megan Henry found the back of the net with 2:32 to play. Henry's goal cut into the deficit before the Duhawks fell, 17-5.
Game Changer
The Belles scored five straight goals over a 20 minute span in the first half, widening the gap for the Duhawks
Key Stat
Saint Mary's tallied 32 shots … Loras fired off 10, their second lowest output of the season
Notables
- Sophomore Megan Henry scored the first goal of her career
- Freshman Haley Sundquist recorded the first assist of her career
- All nine of freshman Sarah Hanson's goals have come on the road
- Junior Kaitlyn Kutsch's streak of 11 straight games with a goal came to an end
- Loras caused double-digit turnovers for sixth time this season
Quotable
Emily Goetz, head coach
"Saint Mary's was quick up the midfield and kept their sticks up to defend and knock down passes. We need to be better at handling pressure and looking for our trail option to switch the field and get out of the pressure."
Up Next
After a day to recover from three games in three days, the Duhawks will return to the field in Wilmington, Ohio on Wednesday. Loras will take on the Fightin' Quakers of Wilmington College at 4:30 p.m. (ET).
