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

LIVONIA, Mich. (Mar. 14, 2024) - Taking control early by scoring six of the game's first seven goals, the North Central College women's lacrosse team improved to 2-2 this season Thursday with a 14-6 victory over Madonna University at the Madonna Athletic Complex.

The Cardinals got on the board just 51 seconds after play began as Reese McMullen tallied the day's first score, dominating possession early as Abby MacKenzie claimed three of the first four draw controls. Annelise Oster doubled the Cardinals' lead to 2-0 two minutes later and, after a MacKenzie ground-ball pickup on the offensive end, Madison Smith scored to give the visitors a 3-0 advantage after less than six minutes had elapsed.

Mia Dyson got Madonna (0-7) into the scoring column with a free-position goal before North Central got goals from Lucy Culig and Skylar Kipka in the final two minutes of the first period. Rachel Lawrence's free-position goal with 12 minutes left in the second period put the Cardinals in front, 6-1, and they took a 7-3 advantage into halftime.

Culig and MacKenzie scored in the first three minutes of the second half, and Culig scored again with 1:07 left in the third period to provide a 10-4 lead heading into the fourth quarter. MacKenzie scored three times and Oster scored once in the final stanza to keep the Cardinals in front.

MacKenzie, Culig and Oster led the way with three goals each as North Central owned a 21-9 edge in shots on goal. MacKenzie finished with five draw controls and Tori Leonard totaled five ground balls and two caused turnovers.

North Central remains in Michigan for the weekend, facing Kalamazoo College Saturday. Play at MacKenzie Field is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options.

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