Lakosky matches career high with eight goals
MARQUETTE, Mich. — The NMU lacrosse team improved to 3-0 to the season after a successful all-around outing against McKendree.
The Wildcats (3-0, 0-0 GLIAC) were led offensively by Josie Lakosky, who matched her career-high in single game goals she set last weekend, tallying eight once again to lead the team with nine points. Lakosky was a key part in the Wildcats’ dominance in the faceoff circle, as she won seven of the ‘Cats 16 total en route to a commanding 16-6 advantage in the stat, holding their opponent to the second-fewest draw controls in the last two seasons.
Natalie Thomas paced the field with three ground balls and two caused turnovers, Vanessa Carrico and Hannah Jabas both chipped in a pair of goals, and freshman netminder Hannah Clark made three saves to earn her first career collegiate win in her first start.
The Wildcats outshot the Bearcats 37-14 and held a 23-7 advantage in shots on goal. Lakosky racked up an astounding 20 shots and 17 shots on goal, both of which are program-highs and career-highs for Lakosky.
The Wildcats defense was stiffling today, as McKendree’s 18 turnovers were the most by an NMU opponent this season, while NMU caused nine turnovers, with multiple of those leading directly to goals.
NMU is now off for another week, with its final match of the opening home stand coming against the Lewis Flyers on Thursday, February 26, at 1 p.m. ET from the Superior Dome.
How It Happened
The scoring opened with goals just ten seconds apart, as Jabas opened the scoring before adding her second of the game after a quick draw control win and penetrating pass from Lakosky. Weiche made a big defensive stop, causing a turnover and making an outlet pass to Lakosky which would eventually lead to the fourth Wildcat goal of the game, and NMU held a 4-1 lead after the first quarter. The Wildcats had ten shots on target in the opening quarter, with five coming from the stick of Lakosky.
Thomas opened the second quarter with a big defensive stop and clear before Carrico added her second of the game on a FPG. Lakosky finished off a play splitting the defense and scoring from in tight to give NMU a five-goal advantage, forcing McKendree to use a timeout. NMU scored three goals to MU’s one, jumping to a 9-2 lead before the Bearcats responded with consecutive goals for the first time of the game. Lakosky converted on a pair of free position attempts with one minute left, and the ‘Cats carried an 11-4 lead into the half.
It took just over 11 minutes of play into the half for the first goal after the break to be scored, and it was Grimm who finished off a pass from Stanton to expand the Wildcat lead.
Payton Ross caused a turnover in her own end and drew a McKendree yellow card, setting up a great individual effort from Lakosky to push the lead to nine. Emily Radke intercepted a clearing pass before eventually finishing off an offensive push by herself, her third of the season.
