(LEBANON, Ill., March 25)—The McKendree University women's lacrosse team put up a strong fight in the first 30 minutes against Lindenwood University, but the visiting Lions pulled away in the second half to register a 25-13 victory against the Bearcats Sunday afternoon at Leemon Field.
 
Senior attacker Dana DiPasquale (St. Charles, MO/Barat Academy) registered a team-high goals and added two assists for six points in leading the offensive attack for McKendree. The Bearcats slip to 2-5 on the year and will return to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Thursday evening with a contest at Tiffin University in Ohio. Match time is set for 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT).
 
Junior attacker Emily Nelson (Deephaven, MN/Holy Family Catholic) and freshman midfielder Rylee Skachenko (Oceanside, CA/Carlsbad) each posted three goals against Lindenwood. Nelson added a pair of assists as well. Junior midfielder Hannah Sugarman (Holden, MA/Wachusett Regional) contributed four ground balls and caused a pair of Lions' turnovers in the effort.
 
Lindenwood, ranked No. 3 in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division II poll, jumped out to a 3-0 lead before DiPasquale got McKendree on the scoreboard a little over six minutes into the contest. The Bearcats chipped away at the deficit and pulled within 5-4 thanks to Nelson's second goal of the game off a pass from senior attacker Paige Salthouse (St. Louis, MO/Ursuline Academy). The teams traded goals over the next few minutes until Lindenwood reeled off three consecutive goals to regain a 12-7 advantage with 4:38 remaining until halftime.
 
The Lions held a 14-10 advantage at the intermission and outscored McKendree 11-3 over the final 30 minutes to remain undefeated on the season at 11-0. Lindenwood's Allison Hurley led all scorers with seven goals and 10 total points in the outing.
 
For McKendree, sophomore Collin Patton (Wildwood, MO/Eureka) made 14 saves against Lindenwood and also led the team with seven ground balls.