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

Mar. 2, 2022 - Playing in their first game of the 2022 season, the North Central College women's lacrosse team fell at home to Saint Mary's College Belles 22-15 on a chilly night inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. 

The Belles (2-0, 0-0 MIAA) took control of the game early on and finished the first quarter with six unanswered goals as the Cardinals struggled to find any rhythm on offense. Trailing 9-3 heading into the second quarter, North Central charged back with a 3-0 run as Abbey Triebe scored her first goal of the season cutting the lead to five. 

Following two goals by Erin Dotson, Berit Vandenbroucke got the Cardinals back on the board, cutting the Belles lead to four. The Cardinals had no answers for the high powered Belles offense as they went on another 3-0 run bringing the lead to 14-7. Abby MacKenzie tallied a goal with just one second remaining in the half to trim the lead down to 14-8. 

Despite giving up a goal in the opening minute of the second half, the Cardinals went on a 3-0 run to cut the lead to four again but following four straight goals by the Belles, the Cardinals couldn't find the momentum to mount a comeback. 

The Cardinals (0-1, 0-0 CCIW) never led in the contest and were outshot 59-24 by the Belles. Saint Mary's controlled 26 of the 40 draws in the contest while forcing 20 turnovers. MacKenzie led the team with five goals and two assists on just six shots and Tanya Czosek and Ellie Yonak each tallied three goals. Abigail Widd tallied a career high 25 saves on the night as she fell to 0-1 on the season. 

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday as they travel to Mequon, Wis. to take on the Concordia University (Wis.) Falcons. The opening faceoff is set to start at 11:00 am inside Fitting Field. 

Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.