Contact: Elliott Carr, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
 
Box Score

AURORA, Ill. (Mar. 1, 2017) –Showing a level of speed that will be difficult to match and an impressive level of composure for a team that had seven freshmen debuting, the North Central College women's lacrosse team would overcome a halftime deficit to defeat talented local rivals the Aurora University Spartans 7-4 on Wednesday afternoon, at Vago Field.

After two early goals from the Spartans, freshman Christina Truver scored the maiden goal of her career and the first goal of the game for the Cardinals, with 11:06 on the clock.

Following a draw control from freshman Mynk Richardson-Clerk, the Cardinals offense began to find it's groove,  then with 6:53 left in the period senior Madison Maas found fellow senior Kassie Whaling in scoring position, who leveled the scores 2-2.

Unfortunately for North Central, sophomore Kendall Urban of the Spartans would score off a free-position shot with 2:38 left to play in the period, giving Aurora the 3-2 advantage heading into the break.

On the heels of a spirited halftime address from head coach Danielle Fiala, Maas scored a spectacular goal in the opening minute of the half. After a vicious spin move, she fired off a shot from just outside the right post, finding the back of the net and bringing the game to a 3-3 stalemate.  

The Spartans would bounce back soon after, with Urban scoring and giving Aurora a 4-3 lead. However, following a yellow card to senior Lauren Whitfield, North Central would capitalize on the woman-up advantage, as junior Kara Stevens scored with 25:42 left to play, courtesy of an assist from junior Jordyn McFarlane.

The Cardinals would then take a 5-4 lead, their first of the game, as Maas continued to be a thorn in the Spartans' side, scoring off an assist from Richardson-Clerk.

In the wake of a successful clear attempt, North Central would continue to build on its lead, with junior Emily Zadny using her agility to evade multiple defenders, on route to scoring with 8:00 minutes to play.

The cherry on top for North Central would then come in the form of a Whaling goal from a free-position shot.

While very much a complete team effort, there were several standout performers for the Cardinals. Maas and Whaling both finished with two goals apiece, while freshman Jessica Deetjen stepped up to lead the team in ground balls with five, with Zadny also contributing four. Richardson-Clerk was dominant out of the center, finishing with four draw controls to go along with one assist. Maas and McFarlane also contributed one assist each.

Defensively, Stevens led North Central with three caused turnovers, while Maas, Richardson-Clerk, McFarlane and sophomore Abigail Leers each had two. Senior Kat Schultz recorded four saves for the game, while Leers had two.

The Cardinals will look to continue their winning ways in their home opener, when they host Beloit College on Saturday, March 4. Game time is 1:00 P.M., and live stats and video can be accessed by clicking HERE.