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

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2017) – Despite the 17-5 final score, the North Central College women's lacrosse team showed several positive signs in the first game of their spring break against Occidental College on Tuesday night, at W.C. Patterson Field in Los Angeles, California.

The Tigers, a highly-esteemed ensemble in their own right, came out of the gates quickly as sophomore Madisyn Hallare scored the opening goal of the game just 44 seconds after the half began. North Central would bounce back soon after, with senior Kassie Whaling finding herself on the receiving end of an assist from freshman Christina Truver.

Other than senior Nikki Merriss capitalizing on a free-position shot with 16:22 clock, the majority of the first half belonged to Occidental, as they went into the first half with a 12-2 lead.

Showing that they are not a group that gives up easily, the Cardinals came out in the second half with renewed vigor and performed admirably. While the Tigers scored the opening three goals of the period, North Central would go on a 3-0 run of their own, beginning with Whaling's second goal of the game with 19:12 left to play, as she was the beneficiary of a senior Madison Maas assist. Whaling would go on to complete the hat-trick with 17:46 remaining, this time coming courtesy of an assist from junior Jordyn McFarlane. Freshman Nelle Scranton scored the final goal of the game for the Cardinals with 12:05 left in the game.

The Cardinals had several standout performers, highlighted by Whaling and her three goals. McFarlane, Maas and Truver each contributed one assist, while Truver led the team in ground balls with three, as she continued to make her mark as a freshman. Maas was co-leader with three. Freshman Jessica Deetjen was the draw control leader, collecting three, while Whaling, Truver and freshman Mynk Richardson-Clerk each added two.

Defensively, Scranton, Truver, Richardson-Clerk, Maas, Deetjen, senior Kat Schultz, junior Emily Zadny and freshman Madeline McHugh each contributed one caused turnover, while Schultz added thirteen saves.

North Central have a day off prior to competing again on Mar. 23, this time against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges at the South Athletic Complex. Game time is 7:00 p.m. (PT), and live stats can be found here.