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

Mar. 11, 2023 - Emerging with a game-clinching rally after a scoring drought which covered more than half the game, the North Central College women's lacrosse team improved to 2-0 Saturday with an 11-10 overtime victory over Concordia University Wisconsin at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

The Cardinals owned a 7-4 advantage early in the second quarter after Abbey Triebe opened the period with two goals in a span of just 49 seconds. The visitors did not allow another goal until 5:37 remained, when Abby MacKenzie scored to level the contest at 8-8.

The Falcons (1-3) took the lead at 9-8 with 4:57 left on a goal by Olivia Niego, and doubled their advantage to 10-8 with 2:30 left on Eliana Fuchs' fourth goal of the afternoon. After MacKenzie controlled the ensuing daw, Tanya Czosek cut the North Central deficit to 10-9 with 1:44 to play, sweeping through the left side to the front of the goal and directed her shot low to the left side to score for the third time. Lucy Culig collected the following draw and and McKenzie knotted the score at 10-10 just 22 seconds later. Concordia won the following draw and held for one final shot, but the attempt was off the mark to send the Cardinals into their first overtime contest since 2016.

The extra session lasted just 25 seconds, as Culig controlled the opening draw and McKenzie drew a foul in the critical scoring area, connected on the game's final goal and her third of the contest on a free-position attempt.

McKenzie, Culig and Tanya Czosek shared team-high scoring honors for the Cardinals with three goals each, while Julia Clarke registered game-high totals for caused turnovers (4) and ground balls (6). Goalkeeper Bella LaRocco saved six shots on goal.

North Central opens its 2023 Spring Break schedule in Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, facing off against Sewanee (Tennessee) at noon. The Cardinals take on Mount Holyoke College (Massachusetts) Wednesday before taking on the host institution, Southwestern University, on Friday.

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