Trading possessions early, a stellar save by freshman Ashley McGee on a free position attempt by the Spartans (7-3, 1-1) kick started the Duhawks' (4-7, 1-2) attack. After making the save, McGee flung a pass up field and the Duhawks transitioned to attack. 

With a lane ahead of her, junior Kaitlyn Kutsch drove to the net earning a free position opportunity. Kutsch's shot went wide of the post and dribbled towards the end line. Using her quick feet, freshman Haley Sundquist hustled after the rebound and corralled the ground ball. Without hesitation, Sundquist wrapped the crease and buried the first goal of the game, giving Loras the 1-0 edge.

Dubuque won the ensuing draw but sent a trio of shots wide, keeping them off the scoreboard. The errant shots handed the Duhawks another opportunity on attack after freshmen Nia Stompanato and Sammi Wichgers helped McGee to clear the ball out of danger. 

Moving the ball through the midfield, the Duhawks worked the ball around the 12 meter before senior Gina Dacy flicked a pass to sophomore Hannah Nelson. Catching the pass in front of the crease, Nelson slipped a shot into the back of the net, doubling Loras' lead with 22:17 to play.

Nelson's goal served as Loras' last of the half as the Spartans closed the opening frame with 10 unanswered goals to carry a 10-2 lead into the break.

The Spartans picked up where they left off, scoring five straight to push their lead to 15-2 with 18:48 to play, despite McGee's saves on the doorstep.

Following 10 minutes of stout defensive plays by both sides, Sundquist ended the Duhawks' drought. Freshman Katie Kulas drove towards the net before flushing out. The drive by Kulas opened a lane for Sundquist who was left unmarked as she entered the eight. Recognizing the lapse in the Spartans' defense, Kulas fired a pass to Sundquist who dodged a late defensive effort before netting her second goal of the night. 

Loras followed Sundquist's goal up with another minutes later as junior Kaitlyn Kutsch capitalized on another free position with 4:29 to play.

Less than a minute later, Kutsch fed freshman Sarah Hanson to cut Loras' deficit to 10.

Dubuque added a goal with 23 seconds to play before Kutsch scored with time winding down as Loras fell 16-6.

Game Changer
Dubuque scored three goals over the course of three minutes, taking a 3-2 lead and never looking back

Key Stat
The Spartans finished the night with 39 shots while Loras fired off 19

Notables

• Freshman Sarah Hanson scored in Iowa for the first time this season
• With 16 goals on the season, freshman Sarah Hanson broke the record for goals by a freshman … Kaitlyn Kutsch previously held the record, tallying 15 goals during the 2013 season
• Sophomore Hannah Nelson's goal extended her point streak to five games
• Freshman Ashley McGee tallied 10 saves in the loss, the third time this season she has recorded double-digit saves
• The Duhawks are now 2-2 against the Spartans over the past three years

Quotable
Ashley McGee, freshman goalkeeper

"The biggest thing for me is to stay composed. I have to keep calm and not freak out, I have to make sure my defense is getting down as fast as they can. I have to read the shot the best I can and make sure I'm in position to put all my energy into stopping the ball."

"I think we can see how our defensive slides progressed over the past couple games, especially in this game from one half to the next. We stepped it up big time on defense. Although attack wasn't where we wanted it to be tonight, defense kept improving and that's all I can ask. Sitting down there taking shot after shot, all I can ask for is improvement from my defense."

Up Next
Loras returns to MWLC action on Saturday when they travel to Beloit, Wisconsin to take on the Bucs of Beloit College. Opening draw is set for 2 p.m.