LEBANON, Ill. – The eight-game win streak for women's lacrosse, dating back to February 22nd has come to and end, after the team fell in their return home to Dominican University of California after a five-game road swing, and would close out their non-conference slate with an 8-2 record on March 31st in Lebanon, Illinois.
Score: McKendree University 8, Dominican University of California 12
Record: Bearcats 8-2, 0-0 GLVC | Cardinals 9-3, 1-0 MEC
HOW IT HAPPENED
Dominican held McKendree scoreless through the first quarter of action, while dropping in the first six of the game with Morgan Newkirk and Ryan Bionda each snagging a pair in the process.
Four minutes and 10 seconds into the second period, McKendree finally got themselves on the board after sophomore midfielder Lauren Blackburn (Louisville, Ky.) intercepted a clear attempt by the Penguins, to which she lobbed it inside to sophomore attacker Ariyah LaFrance (Akwesasne, N.Y.), who would sling it inside.
After a three-goal response by the Penguins to extend their lead to eight, GLVC Offensive Player of the Week Jayna Barnden (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) made use of a man-up opportunity to give herself her 36th goal of the season, and followed up with an assist to GLVC Defender of the Week Lexi Macleod (Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada) for her first goal of the match.
Momentum continued to ride for the Bearcats into the second half despite being down 3-9, as LaFrance would get the power play goal and Barnden converted on the short distance of a free-position shot. A fastbreak dish by freshman attacker Elora Waardenburg (Cobble Hill, British Columbia, Canada) found the sophomore attacker Sofia Mullen (Lakeside, Nova Scotia, Canada) cutting inside for the score, and pull McKendree's deficit to within three. Yet, Dominican rounded out the third quarter with two more that found the back of the net.
Looking to make a comeback in the final period of regulation, Waardenburg caught a high pass and slotted it into the goal from her left hip and bring her squad to within four. With the Penguin defense holding strong while notching a goal in the stretch, Waardenburg once again scored with 1:17 left in the game, but it would not be enough to mount the comeback, as the Bearcats would fall in their non-conference finale, 8-12.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• Waardenburg, Barnden, and LaFrance each tabbed two goals on the day, while the former two each had dished a pair of assists to give them both four points. Three ground balls and two caused turnovers were combined between the trio.
• Macleod and Mullen were the other two Bearcats to get one to go inside the net, as Macleod also tallied a ground ball and a draw control.
• Junior goalkeeper Amber Hayden (Woburn, Mass.) guarded the posts for all 60:00 minutes of play, and recorded 12 saves, plus four ground balls.
• McKendree was 14-for-19 (73.7%) on clear attempts, while Dominican was 13-for-19 (68.4%).
• McKendree won the ground ball battle 17-13.
UP NEXT
McKendree will be back in action on Saturday, April 4th, when they take on No.9 Maryville University at 12:00 PM CT at the Leemon Field in Lebanon, Illinois.
The game will be streamed live or on-demand on the GLVC Sports Network with a subscription/download purchase required. Live stats will also be provided to the public.
Make sure to keep up with McKendree University Women's Lacrosse on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram. #GLVCwlax | #D2lax
For more updates and information on Bearcat Athletics, please continue to visit McKBearcats.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
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