Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

Mar. 3, 2021 – Challenging its opponent on both the offense and defensive ends, the Loras College women's lacrosse team (0-1) started the 2021 season against the last opponent it played in the shortened 2020 season and faced a similar competitive matchup in the season opener game against non-conference foe Augustana College (1-2). Led by an impressive freshman debut by Hannah Medina and steadfast defense, the Duhawks challenged the Vikings in a 60-minute battle, but fell 12-8 in the end.

Marianne Gleason gave the Duhawks the first possession of the game off the draw and Medina kicked off her freshman campaign with the first goal of the season off the assist from senior Katlynne Wolf in the first two minutes. Augustana scored the next three goals to pull ahead 3-1 with 19:02 left in the first half. A goal by Erin Conley off another assist from Wolf stopped the Vikings scoring run with 16:18 left in the half, bringing Loras within one point, but the Vikings fired off two back-to-back goals to lead, 5-2 with 11:10 in the half and tacked on a goal off the draw and a free position shot off a Duhawk turnover. Loras looked to get something going on offense and after a save by Lydia Phelps, the Duhawks converted the clear into a goal by Gleason. The Vikings added two more goals in the final two minutes of the half, but just as she had started the game, Medina sent the Duhawks into halftime with a goal off an assist from Pearl Mueller in the final 30 seconds, keeping the Vikings from growing their 9-4 lead.

Loras took control of the pace of play in the first 15 minutes of the second half as Clare Brunn converted a free position goal before finding Medina open in the eight-meter for her third goal of the night to cut the Vikings' lead, 9-6, with 21:36 to play. The Duhawks' defense kept Augustana scoreless until the halfway point, scoring two to pull ahead 11-6 but drawing a yellow-card to give Loras the advantage on offense and Medina capitalized with a goal off an assist from Conley. Gleason won the draw and took it to the goal, making the score 11-8 with 6:56 remaining and the Duhawks' defense yet again stopped  Augustana's offense for nearly six minutes. The Duhawks worked to find the same rhythm on offense, but the Vikings held on for a 12-8 win.

Medina had a team-high four goals while Gleason scored a pair and Brunn and Conley both had one. Gleason had three draw controls and scooped up six ground balls along with Kayla Tilkes who also had a team-best three caused turnovers. Phelps put up a strong performance between the posts with 15 saves and scooped up four ground balls to defend the goal circle.

The Duhawks travel to play the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Saturday Mar. 6. Game time is set for noon in Eau Claire, Wis.