Benedictine scored six unanswered goals to open the game, holding a 6-0 lead through the first 15 minutes of play.

Unable to gain any momentum in the attacking third, Loras broke through with 15:17 to play in the half. Sophomore Hannah Nelson reeled in a draw control, kick starting the scoring opportunity for Loras. Freshman Katie Kulas fired off a shot before senior Gina Dacy tracked down the rebound, setting up junior Kaitlyn Kutsch for an opportunity. Kutsch's shot slipped wide of the goal, but a hustle play by sophomore Anna Schwalbe kept possession with the purple and gold. Working her way through the eight, Schwalbe dished to freshman Sarah Hanson. Fouled on her drive to goal, Hanson earned a free position shot and took full advantage, blowing a shot past the goalkeeper.

Moments later with the Eagles threatening, freshman goalkeeper Ashley McGee came up with a plethora of stellar saves to keep Loras' deficit at five. On the last of a series of shots by Benedictine, freshman Nia Stompanato used her feet to successfully clear the ball up the near sideline. A stout defender for the Duhawks all season, Stompanato recognized a clear path to goal and seized the opportunity. Blowing by four defenders on her way to goal, Stompanato blasted a shot into the back of the net, pulling the Duhawks within four. 

For the remaining 6:27 of the half momentum remained in favor of the Duhawks, leaving the score at 6-2, in favor of the Eagles at the midway point.

Building momentum in their favor, Nelson won the opening draw and carried the ball down field. With defenders hesitant to step in front of her, Nelson made her way through the eight and nailed a shot 31 seconds into the half.

Over the next 10 minutes defense ruled the field, forcing opposing attacks into turnovers and sloppy shots, keeping the score at 6-4. 

Kutsch tallied a free position goal with 18:22 to play, before Benedictine scored minutes later to push their lead back to three. 

With Stompanato, freshman Sammi Wichgers, and senior Eliza Slanker holding down the back line for the Duhawks, Loras cashed in on the attacking end to pull within one.

Kutsch fed Schwalbe on a cut in front of the crease before Kutsch buried a free position moments later, cutting Benedictine's lead to 7-6.

On the ensuing draw control, the Eagles wasted little time winning the draw and driving down for a goal.

Trailing by two with less than 10 minutes to play, the Duhawks put forth a resilient effort on the field, pulling back within one with 4:04 left on the clock when Kutsch tallied her third goal of the game.

From that point on, Benedictine stalled offensively to keep the Duhawks from any solid chances in their attacking third, taking the game 8-7.

Game Changer
Scoring six goals in the opening 15 minutes provided the Eagles with just enough cushion to edge out Loras

Key Stat
Loras cleared 16-of-18 successfully while Benedictine was held to 18-of-24 … Four of Loras' seven goals came off of successful clears

Notables

• Freshman Nia Stompanato scored her first career goal
• Freshman Sarah Hanson scored a goal in the Rock Bowl for the first time this season, moving her season total to 17
• Freshman Ashley McGee boasted a .500 save percentage, marking the fourth time this season she has owned a .500 save percentage or better this season
• Loras wraps up their season 1-4 in the Rock Bowl

Quotable

Nia Stompanato, freshman defender
"We played a great second half. I couldn't be more proud of my team. I think overall our attitudes are positive. We worked as a team and did a great job of passing the ball and moving it up field."

"I think we've really come together as a team. We have really pushed each other over the course of the season."

Katie Kulas, freshman midfielder
"It has been a real team effort. Coming into the weekend we knew we only had three games left and everyone kicked it into overdrive."

"Everyone needs to bring their 'a' game on Saturday. If we come in with a lot of intensity and a good attitude we should be fine."

Up Next 
The Duhawks finish their 2015 campaign in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday when they take on Rockhurst in non-conference action. Opening draw is set for 11 a.m.