FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Box Score

Apr. 5, 2012 - Despite closing fast in the final minutes, the North Central College women's lacrosse team was denied in its attempt at a third straight win Thursday evening, as Pacific University (Ore.) defeated the Cardinals, 13-9, at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

The Boxers (6-4), who won last year's meeting between the two teams, 23-5, scored the game's first three goals and kept North Central off the scoreboard unitl 21:01 remained in the first half, when Adelaide Dieckmeyer found the net. Pacific used a run of five straight goals late in the first half to extend its lead and wound up taking a 10-3 lead into halftime. The Boxers connected on 6 of 8 free-position shots and owned a 10-4 advantage in draw controls in the first half.

Trailing, 12-5, midway through the second period, the Cardinals (3-6) opened their bid to get back into contention. Mallory Bahr scored off a pass from Alison Musur with 18:35 to play, and Danielle Fiala and Rachael Houp followed with goals of their own before Caroline Gully scored on another assist from Musur to narrow the gap to 12-9 with 5:21 remaining.

The Cardinals had opportunities to narrow the gap further down the stretch, but were unable to capitalize. Pacific's Carmen Taplin connected for the game's final goal with 39 seconds left to put an end to North Central's comeback effort.

Fiala and Gully shared the North Central scoring lead with two goals each. Fiala also had six draw controls and Gully put up six ground balls.

Taplin, Kelly Stevens and Kelly Killingbeck led Pacific with three goals apiece. Stevens also finished with two assists, 11 draw controls and six ground balls.

North Central is idle until Wednesday, when it travels to face Carthage College in a Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference game at Art Keller Field. Play is scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m.