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

Apr. 6, 2024 - Quickly erasing an early deficit and taking control midway through the first half, the North Central College women's lacrosse team overpowered Augustana College, 18-9, in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) opener for both teams at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium Saturday.

The Cardinals (6-3, 1-0 CCIW) won for the fourth straight game and secured their fifth consecutive victory at home, achieving their highest scoring total since a 20-goal outburst against Elmhurst University on Apr. 23, 2022.

North Central trailed, 3-1, late in the first period as the Vikings (1-7, 0-1) converted three of their first four shot attempts. The hosts scored twice in the final 1:50 of the opening period and drew even, 3-3, with 14 seconds on the clock after Lucy Culig caused a turnover, scooped up the ground ball and fired it past Augustana goalkeeper Lainie Cecala.

Culig and Abby MacKenzie scored within 41 seconds of one another soon after the second period began as the Cardinals tallied seven unanswered goals to take a 10-3 advantage into halftime. MacKenzie scored four times and claimed five of eight draw controls in the game's decisive rally.

MacKenzie scored North Central's final three goals in the last 5:10 of the fourth quarter to finish with a career high of seven while totaling 15 draw controls to match the single-game program record established at Edgewood College Mar. 9. 

Culig and Annelise Oster scored four goals each for the Cardinals, as Culig finished with a game-high eight ground balls while goalkeeper Cassidy Anderson saved 10 shots on goal. As a team, North Central outshot the Vikings, 43-20, and owned a 22-9 advantage in draw controls.

The Cardinals host Elmhurst University (2-6, 0-1) Saturday, Apr. 13 at 10:00 a.m., with Senior Day activities to be conducted at halftime. Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options.

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.