DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's lacrosse team raced out to a 7-4 lead in the first half of Tuesday's non-conference match against Carroll before securing the 11-10 win to improve to 3-6 on the year. Senior
Kaitlyn Kutsch tallied eight goals to bring her season total to 35.
LORAS HIGHLIGHTS
- Carroll was the first to crack the scoreboard with a goal in the first five minutes. Before matters could get too far out of hand, Loras responded with a goal from Kutsch less than a minute later. The goal for Kutsch kept her goal-scoring streak in tact for the 2016 season.
- Kutsch struck again, 66 seconds later, giving the Duhawks their first lead of the evening.
- With 20:02 left on the clock, Carroll called a timeout in an attempt to halt the Duhawk rally, trailing 3-1.
- The next seven minutes saw plenty of back and forth action, but the Pioneers as the only side to add to their tally, striking for two goals within 50 seconds of each other, beginning at the 14:10 mark of the first half.
- In the remaining 14:10, Loras' defense was motivated and set on preventing any further offense from the Pioneers.
- Loras looked for any open connections throughout the match. Opportunity came knocking when Kutsch found junior Hannah Nelson right outside the goal, but failed to convert the point.
- With 11:45 left, junior Sarah Hanson and sophomore Molly Johnson teamed up for the second consecutive game. Johnson netted her goal to give Loras the lead at 4-3.
- Kutsch showed no signs of slowing down as she tallied at 6:01 gave Loras a two-point lead for the first time in the game. The Dubuque native, added to her already impressive effort in the first half, scoring her fifth goal of the half, extending the Duhawk lead to 6-3 with 3:40 remaining.
- A pair of Duhawk freshman sought to seal the first half on a high note. Johnson located Martha Venchus to give Loras the 7-3 lead with 22 seconds left. This marked Johnson's first assist of the season as well as Venchus' first goal of her career.
- The Pioneers responded immediately in short time, scoring with four seconds left in the half, sending both sides to the halftime break searching for more.
- Carroll came out of the break determined to put a dent into the score. Despite a quick goal from the Pioneers 39 seconds into the second half, Loras responded with three unanswered goals to solidify its 10-5 lead.
- Joining Kutsch on the goal stat-line was freshman Emily O'Keefe, who registered her first goal of her career after an aggressive drive through the shooting lane with 25:52 remaining.
- A three-goal run by the Duhawks was matched immediately by a three-goal run by Carroll, which cut the Loras lead to two at 10-8 with 14:24 left to play.
- Pioneers were handed an advantage when the Duhawks went a man down after Kutsch was shown a yellow card. Carroll, however, was unable to capitalize on the man-advantage, and as a result, faced a two-goal deficit with 10 minutes remaining.
- Carroll converted on two late goals, including one with 15 seconds left on the clock, to bring the Pioneers within one at 11-10.
- Kutsch won the ensuing draw control and maintained possession the rest of the way, running out the clock and preserving the victory for the Duhawks.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kaitlyn Kutsch | The senior tallied eight goals, which was the highest since Kutsch struck for 10 goals against Hilbert. She also added five draw controls and four ground balls.
UP NEXT
Loras travels to Benedictine on Friday to face the Eagles in MWLC action. Benedictine enters the week with a 4-5 record and will be looking to snap a three-game skid. First draw is scheduled for 6 p.m.
