Contact: Tyler Bremner, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (April 16, 2025) – In the North Central College women's lacrosse team's second College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) matchup, they found themselves outpaced 22-13 by the Illinois Wesleyan University Titans.

Entering the match, North Central's (8-4, 1-1 CCIW) Annelise Oster broke free for a quick pass to Rachel Lawrence for the first score of the match just two minutes in. Sadie Newton for Illinois Wesleyan (7-7, 2-1 CCIW) responded with a goal 30 seconds later to knot up the score. Not wanting to be shown up, Abby MacKenzie rattled off an even faster response in 16 seconds, winning her draw control and sealing a free-position shot to push back ahead 2-1. The offense continued with another goal over a minute later from Oster to mark a two-goal lead. The final nine minutes of the period saw the Titans climb back in with a 3-1 run, with MacKenzie's second goal of the match proving insufficient to maintain the lead.

Opening the second period, Oster quickly shot two goals in the first three minutes to push the Cardinals to a 6-4 lead. The Titans responded by going on a 5-0 run over the next six minutes to jump to 9-6. MacKenzie would fire a goal 30 seconds later to chip away at the lead, but Illinois Wesleyan eclipsed it with another two goals to go into halftime at 11-7.

The start of the second half saw the Titans fully pull away, going on a 4-1 scoring run over the first seven minutes with Oster's fourth goal being the lone Cardinal score of the period. With eight minutes to go, Illinois Wesleyan continued to overpower the North Central defense with another four goals before the end of the period.

Lawrence, Lucy Culig, Oster, and Zoe Palm each fired off a goal to start the final period to chip the lead down to seven in the first eight minutes. The Titans' defense settled in, not allowing Oster her sixth and the Cardinals' final goal until just under three minutes remained. Illinois Wesleyan combined for three goals in the final minutes to keep North Central behind at 22-13.

Offensively, Oster led the way with six goals and one assist, with MacKenzie following with three goals. Defensively, Alyssa Rose secured the net for 53 minutes of the match, securing 20 saves, with Oran Wilkins allowing two of the 22 goals in seven minutes.

North Central returns home Saturday to face Carroll University at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Access the full schedule HERE.

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