Contact: Matthew Eaker, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, mreaker@noctrl.edu 

AURORA, Ill. (Mar. 12, 2022) - Taking a short trip to Aurora University, the North Central College women's lacrosse team fell to the Spartans 11-5 on a cold and windy day inside the Spartan Athletic Complex this afternoon. 

The Spartans (2-2, 0-0 NACC) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Monique Gibson scored in the fourth minute of the game. The Spartans would control the rest of the first quarter and the first five minutes of the second quarter scoring five unanswered goals putting them up 6-0. Abby MacKenzie would get the Cardinals on the board shortly after the Spartans' sixth goal, cutting the lead to five. Berit Vandenbroucke would score the final goal of the half with just six minutes left, giving the Spartans a 8-3 lead going into halftime. 

The third quarter was very slow as only two goals were scored, Ellie Yonak would tally the first goal of the half just two minutes after the opening whistle, cutting the lead to five once again. The Spartans would go on another two goal run before Vandenbroucke would tally her second goal of the game, making it 10-4 Spartans late in the fourth quarter. Reese McMullen would score with just 20 seconds left but it wasn't enough as the Cardinals fell 11-5. 

Vandenbroucke led the team with two goals while Yonak, Mackenzie and McMullen each had a goal. Mary Pinkowski led the team with three caused turnovers and four ground balls while Abigail Widd tallied 12 saves in net as her record fell to 1-2 on the season. 

The Cardinals are back in action on Monday, Mar. 14 as they take a trip to Lexington, Ky. to take on Transylvania University in their first game of their Spring Break trip. The opening face-off is set for 7 pm inside Pat Deacon Stadium. 

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