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

Mar. 16, 2018 - Its resolve to remain unbeaten tested to its utmost by a hard-charging opponent, the North Central College women's lacrosse team maintained its composure and responded in crunch time Friday, turning away a late-game rally and defeating the Indiana Institute of Technology, 14-11, at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

The Cardinals (5-0) looked to have the contest in hand, scoring the first six goals of the second half to take a 12-4 advantage, before Indiana Tech regrouped and began chipping away at its deficit. Keeping the hosts out of the net for a 17-minute stretch, the Warriors scored four times in less than three minutes to narrow the gap before eventually cutting the lead to 12-11 after Bailey Childs' goal with 5:32 to play.

North Central's Nelle Scranton caused a turnover to thwart a Warrior clear attempt, leading to a free-position goal by Madeline McHugh with 3:32 to play, which gave the Cardinals some breathing room. Scranton then scored the final goal of the afternoon with 1:45 to play on an assist by Addie Records.

Scranton and McHugh shared North Central's scoring lead with three goals each, while Records turned in three assists. Jessica Deetjen claimed six draw controls, while Christina Truver and Rebecca Claussen each came up with three of the team's 15 caused turnovers. Goalkeeper Abigail Leers saved a career-high 15 shots on goal, just one shy of the Cardinals' single-game record of 16.

North Central will travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado for a pair of games next week. The Cardinals will take on Hamline University (Minnesota) on Monday at 1:00 p.m. Mountain time.