Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
PORTLAND, Ore. (Mar. 12, 2025) - In their final contest on the West Coast, the North Central College women's lacrosse team fell 14-9 to Lewis & Clark College on Wednesday evening at Griswold Stadium.
The Pioneers found the back of the net three times in the first three minutes before Abby MacKenzie scored a man-up free-position goal, her 20th of the season. Lewis & Clark added two more goals in the first quarter to hold a 5-1 advantage after 15 minutes of play.
Following a sixth Pioneer goal, Zoe Palm scored her first goal of the contest, assisted by Anna Williamson. Less than two minutes later, Annelise Oster capitalized on a free-position opportunity to cut the deficit to 6-3. The Pioneers extended their lead to five before MacKenzie and Palm each scored their second goal of the game, bringing North Central back within three, 8-5. With six seconds left until halftime, Lewis & Clark scored to take a four-goal lead into the break.
A caused turnover and ground ball from Tori Leonard turned into offense for the Cardinals as Rachel Lawrence found Oster for her 18th goal of the season, reducing the North Central deficit to 9-6 with 15 minutes to play.
Lewis & Clark quickly scored three goals in the fourth quarter before MacKenzie and Lucy Culig found the back of the net for the Cardinals. Palm scored once more with 17 seconds left, but the Pioneers held on for a 14-9 victory.
Palm and MacKenzie each tallied three goals to lead the Cardinal offense. Leonard picked up a team-high five ground balls, while MacKenzie recorded eight draw controls. In goal, Oran Wilkins posted seven saves in 45 minutes of action.
North Central returns to Illinois for a weekday matchup against Spalding University on Wednesday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium
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.
