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

Apr. 24, 2024 - A closely-contested battle got away from the North Central College women's lacrosse team in the second half Wednesday, as Illinois Wesleyan University pulled away for a 15-7 victory at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in a pivotal College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) matchup for both teams.

The Cardinals (7-6, 2-3 CCIW) owned a 5-2 advantage midway through the first half before IWU flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the hosts, 11-2, after halftime.

After surrendering the game's first two goals, North Central got on the board with 8:54 left in the first quarter as Annelise Oster connected with Abby MacKenzie. Reese McMullen scored on a free-position shot with 6:42 on the clock to level the score at 2-2, and the Cardinals took their first lead with 4:59 to play in the period as Rachel Lawrence caused a turnover and quickly deposited it in the Titans' net.

North Central held the Titans scoreless for the first 12 minutes of the second quarter, as MacKenzie and Oster each scored to extend the Cardinals' lead to 5-2. IWU (8-7, 3-2) scored twice in a 31-second span to narrow the gap to 5-4 at the break, then tallied the first two goals of the third period to regain the lead at 6-5.

Oster scored shortly after the Titans' go-ahead goal to tie the game at 6-6 with 8:41 to play in the quarter, but IWU followed with five unanswered goals to carry a commanding 11-6 advantage into the final stanza.

Oster paced the Cardinals with three goals, while MacKenzie totaled eight draw controls and shared the team lead in ground balls (four) with Taylor Smith. Cassidy Anderson saved 10 shots on goal.

North Central concludes the regular season Saturday at Carroll University. Play at Schneider Stadium is set to begin at noon.  Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options.

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