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

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Mar. 6, 2021) – Led by a record-tying performance by sophomore goal keeper Lydia Phelps, the Loras College women's lacrosse team celebrated a road win at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Saturday, defeating the Blugolds 16-13 and giving head coach Heidi Colford her first career victory.

Marianne Gleason and Katylnne Wolf got the scoring started for the Duhawks with back-to-back goals in the first four minutes and Loras kept it rolling on offense with goals by Pearl Mueller, Hannah Medina and Clare Brunn all off assists to take a 6-1 lead with 18:44 left in the half. The Blugolds rallied back with a run over the next five minutes, but Brunn, Medina and Wolf put the Duhawks back in the drivers set with goals to extend the lead 9-4 with just under ten minutes left. Eau Claire made a second run with a pair of goals, looking to get back into it before halftime, but Mueller sparked a scoring run with 4:04 on the clock before connecting with Brunn for another goal and Medina closing out the half with one of her own.

Eau Claire kicked off the second half with a shot off the draw, but Phelps was there for the save. The Blugolds got back possession off the rebound and notched a quick goal before adding another three minutes later. Gleason grabbed the draw control for the Duhawks to set up an offensive opportunity and Mueller took it to the goal to make it 13-8 Loras. The Blugolds went on a run to put up four goals and come within one point of the Duhawks with 15:40 left in the game, but thanks to goals by Gleason and Brunn and 13 saves by Phelps, the Duhawks pulled away with a 16-13 victory.

Phelps made 20 saves, tying the program's single-game record, on 39 shots faced in the win. Brunn and Mueller both scored four goals each and Mueller led the team with seven points with three assists. Gleason scooped up a team-best six ground balls and shared the lead with five draw controls alongside Brunn while the Duhawks as a team won the battle at the center circle, holding a 16-14 edge in draw control against the Bluegolds.

Loras returns home and continues non-conference action on Wednesday, Mar. 10, hosting Edgewood College at 7 P.M. inside the Rock Bowl.