Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970
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Feb. 29, 2020 - The Loras College women's lacrosse team (1-0) made history with a 12-9 win against Augsburg University (0-2) on Saturday in the season opener, marking the program's first win against the Eagles and scoring the first Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference (MWLC) victory of the season.

The Duhawks wasted no time scoring as Pearl Mueller notched the first goal of the season off an assist from Clare Brunn three minutes into the game. The freshman then scored another goal two minutes later and Brunn added the Duhawks third goal to extend the lead. Augsburg's Allie Tuccitto put the Eagles on the board on the next possession and another goal for the visitors cut Loras' lead to one, but Mueller scored her third of the day and Olivia Flynn tallied a goal to regain control and a 5-2 lead with nine minutes left in the first half.

Tuccitto scored again for Augsburg with 7:29 until half and after a four minute drought where neither team could break through on offense, Mueller returned the favor to Brunn who scored her second goal of the day and Erika Williams added a goal to push Loras ahead 7-3 with just under two minutes on the clock. The Eagles closed out the half with a goal, but the Duhwaks controlled the tempo and the scoreboard going into the break.

Brunn opened the scoring with a pair of goals before the Eagles scored four-straight and kept Loras scoreless for nearly 15 minutes. With 4:25 remaining, Brunn extended the lead 11-8. A yellow card for the Duhawks put the hosts down a player with three minutes remaining, but Katlynne Wolf was able to find Brunn for the open shot and pull ahead 12-8. The Eagles had the last say with a goal by Annika Hegrenes but it was too little, too late and the Duhawks came away with a monumental win to open the season.

Brunn tallied six goals while Mueller started her college career with three. Mueller led the team with six draw controls while Flynn added four and freshman goalkeeper Lydia Phelps had a team-high six ground balls. Phelps also played a huge role between the pipes, making nine saves, and Williams and Conley both tallied their first goals and assists of their college careers.

Loras also held control at the circle, bringing in 12 of the 22 draw controls and scooped up 30 ground balls. The Duhawks also saw success in the midfield transition, finishing the game 20-22 for clears. Historically, the win marks the second time in program history Loras has opened the season with a win as the last time this occured was the 2018 season with a 17-16 win against Southwestern University.

The Duhawks return home on Thursday, Mar. 5 to continue conference play against the University of Northwestern at 6 P.M.