DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - A balanced attack featuring standout performances by sophomore Hailey Frederick and freshman Katie Kulas led the Duhawks in their MWLC bout with Aurora in the Rock Bowl on Saturday. Frederick tallied a career-high two goals while Kulas filled her stat line, finishing with three ground balls, three caused turnovers, and the first goal of her career as the Duhawks fell 18-7. Aurora (8-6, 5-1) rattled off three goals in the opening five minutes before tallying four more goals after junior Kaitlyn Kutsch put the Duhawks on the scoreboard.
Trailing 7-1, sophomore Hailey Frederick capitalized on her time in the attacking third. One of Loras' top defenders, Frederick played swing throughout the game and found a way to seize the opportunity. Driving towards goal, Frederick cruised past her defender and ripped a shot into the back of the net.
Feeding off the energy from Frederick's goal, the Duhawks' defense forced a turnover and jump started a transition. Using her speed, Frederick ran it up field before dumping a pass to sophomore Anna Schwalbe who buried her eighth goal of the season, pulling Loras within four.
Loras' momentum fizzled quickly as the Spartans scored back-to-back-to-back goals to carry a 10-3 lead into the break.
After Aurora added two more goals to open the second half, senior Gina Dacy split her way through the Spartans' defense and fired a shot into the back of the net.
Aurora countered Dacy's goal score less than two minutes later, pushing their lead to 13-4.
Two minutes later Frederick tallied her second goal of the afternoon, on a stellar pass by freshman Sarah Hanson with 17:29 to play.
Over the next 10 minutes, the Spartans stretched their lead to 12 before Kulas netted her first career goal on a feed by Kutsch.
Kutsch added her second goal of the game with just over a minute to play, as the Duhawks fell 18-7.
Game Changer
Loras was outscored 7-1 in the opening 22 minutes, a deficit they could not overcome
Key Stat
The Spartans held a 16-11 advantage in draw controls … Loras drops to 1-7 when trailing in draw controls
Notables
- Freshman Katie Kulas scored the first goal of her career
- Sophomore Hailey Frederick scored two goals in a game for the first time in her career
- Freshman Ashley McGee tallied double-digit saves (10) for the fifth time this season
- Freshman Sarah Hanson registered her first point in the Rock Bowl, assisting on a goal by sophomore Hailey Frederick with 17:29 to play
- Freshman Halea Griffin made her first career start in the loss
Up Next
Loras wraps up the home portion of their slate on Sunday when they host Benedictine in MWLC action. As the Duhawks last game in the Rock Bowl, seniors Eliza Slanker and Gina Dacy will be recognized. Opening draw is set for 2 p.m.
