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Box Score

April 30., 2016 – Withstanding cold, wet, windy conditions and a Carthage team that pushed them to overtime, the North Central College women's lacrosse team willed their way to a 10-9 victory on Saturday afternoon at Art Keller Field, breaking the team record for most wins in a single season in the process.

The Cardinals would start the game off strongly, with junior Kassie Whaling scoring courtesy of a senior Gina Fisher assist with 26:01 on the clock. The duo would combine once more, with Fisher providing an assist to Whaling for the Cardinal's second goal with 20:59 remaining.

However, the Lady Reds showed why they have consistently been one of the best teams in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) in recent years, leveling the scores 2-2 with 17:35 left in the half. They would quickly extend their lead to 4-2 by the time there was 14:21 remaining, but Whaling was able to score her third goal of the game shortly after, this time a shot from in the circle. With 12:21 left in the half, junior Madison Maas again levelled the scores off a free position shot. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Lady Reds would go on to score two goals prior to halftime, giving them a 6-4 lead.

Fisher was determined not to allow the game to get out of reach for the Cardinals, first scoring off a free position shot with 25:57 remaining, then setting up Maas for a goal with 24:21 remaining, levelling the scores 6-6. Fisher would then score from a shot in the circle with 21:28 left to play to give the Cardinals the lead, however this would be brief, as the Lady Reds would even things up shortly after.

With 18:02 to play Fisher would score off a free-position shot, giving the Cardinals an 8-7 lead, but the Lady Reds would again bounce back, ensuring the contest would be one that went down to the wire.

As it has been several times over the course of the season, it was the Cardinals senior leadership that shone through when needed most. With the scores tied and 8:24 remaining, senior Bianca Perri provided senior Claire Norfleet with an assist to put the Cardinals ahead 9-8. Despite this, the Lady Reds scored with 15 seconds left to play, sending the game into overtime.

With the pressure at its highest and in the face of adversity, the Cardinals were able to stand tall and secure the victory in overtime. Again Fisher was highly influential in the play, assisting Maas on the game winning goal. The record-breaking win for the Cardinals would also prove to be their hardest-earned of the season.

The Cardinals will open CCIW tournament play on Wednesday night at 7:00 P.M., when they travel to Bloomington to face Illinois Wesleyan at Tucci Stadium.