DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's lacrosse team (5-9, 3-5 MWLC) set a program record for wins in a season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Beloit (3–10, 2–5 MWLC) inside the Rock Bowl, 11–10. Senior
Kaitlyn Kutsch netted a double hat trick to help the Duhawks to their first win over Beloit in program history.
LORAS HIGHLIGHTS
- After six minutes of gridlocked play, the Bucs were the first to strike as Beloit's Libby Storrick setup Tate Mitchell for the first goal of the match.
- A pair of Duhawk juniors wasted no time in making their presence known. Hannah Nelson located Anna Schwalbe just outside the net for an easy goal to tie up the game with 23:09 remaining in the half.
- Less than two minutes later, Beloit fired one into the back of the net to retake the lead, 2-1.
- Three minutes passed as the Duhawks fought for possession. Sophomore Sarah Hanson quickly executed a pass off to Nelson to tie the game back up, 2-2 with 18:40 remaining.
- Beloit went on a two-goal run starting at the 18 minute mark. The attack left the Duhawks trailing 4-2.
- Hanson took matters into her own hands and fired off her 14th goal of the season to bring the Duhawks within one at 4-3.
- Senior Kaitlyn Kutsch gave Loras its first lead of the day with two goals of her own. The 5-4 lead was enough to encourage the Bucs to utilize a timeout.
- Not slowing down, the Duhawks continued to tack on the goals. Schwalbe saw an opportunity in teammate sophomore AnnaRose Einarsen. Einarsen took full advantage and got the goal for Loras.
- Three minutes later, Schwalbe found herself on the opposite end of the pass when Hanson handed one off to the junior to fire one away for the 7-4 lead.
- Looking to put a dent in the Duhawk lead, the Bucs used back-to-back goals five minutes apart to bring Beloit to a 7-6 deficit.
- Kutsch had an answer for the Bucs in the form of her third goal of the day in the final minute of play.
- Despite the late goal from Kutsch, Beloit would get the last word in of the half. The Duhawks headed into the halftime break with the 8-7 lead.
- Opening up the final 30 minutes, Einarsen stepped up once again to ignite the second half action. The Dubuque native utilized fellow Dubuque native, Kutsch, whose goal put Loras up 9-7.
- After another Beloit scoring opportunity, the Duhawks used a timeout with hopes of taming the Bucs who had crept to 9-8 on the scoreboard.
- Both team did their best to take control but the game remained scoreless for 10 minutes, the longest scoring drought of the game. The Bucs not only ended the drought, but tied the game at 9-9 for the first time since the 14th minute of the first half.
- Kutsch once again looked to dispel any hopes of the Bucs. The senior struck for her 59th goal of the season and the 11-10 Loras lead with 6:15 left in the match.
- Beloit turned on every outlet they had in attempt to send the game into overtime, but the Duhawks were able to hold strong as the clocked ticked down to 11-10 Loras victory.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Anna Schwalbe | The junior continued her offensive efforts to tack on two goals for Loras. Schwalbe also added one assist and one ground ball for the Purple & Gold.
UP NEXT
Loras returns to the Rock Bowl for senior day in the season closing match against Augsburg. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.
