Lakosky and Carrico each score three goals
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The NMU lacrosse team kicked off its Colorado spring break road trip with a 9-7 win over Colorado Mesa.
With the win, the Wildcats (5-0, 0-0) are now undefeated through its opening five games to start a season for the first time in program history. After being down 4-2 in the first quarter, the ‘Cats surged in the second half thanks to a 3-0 run to start the third quarter and crucial saves from junior goalkeeper Lauren Esposito. Esposito was sharp down the stretch, making nine saves on the day for a .563 SV%, including a pair of free position shots in the dying minutes.
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The MAvericks (1-5, 0-0 RMAC), who were RMAC Co-Champions last season and preseason favorites to win the conference this season, were coming off its first win of the season, a 15-14 decision against #16 Florida Tech. A big reason for the Wildcats’ success today was the draw control, where the Wildcats held a 12-6 advantage, holding the Mavericks to a season-low.
Offensively, the Wildcats were led by Josie Lakosky (3-1–4) and Vanessa Carrico (3-0–3), who recorded matching hat-tricks. Lakosky also won seven draw controls and caused a pair of turnovers, while defender Natalie Thomas caused three ground balls and a trio of turnovers.
Both teams recorded 26 shots, the Wildcats had an edge in ground balls (17-15), and NMU went 3-6 on free position attempts while Esposito held CMU 0-4. This was only the second time this season that CMU was held without a free-position goal, while in the other instance, the team only had two attempts.
This marked the first time NMU has played outdoors this season. The athletes and fans enjoyed temperatures in the mid to upper 60s with 10 mph wind.
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How It Happened
The ‘Cats corralled the opening draw but were unable to convert, and the Mavericks counterattacked quickly and scored off the rush to take the game’s first lead. The ‘Cats were good on the draw early, as Wozney won her second-straight draw, which led to her earning an assist on the ‘Cats opening tally from Lorinser. Similar to the game against Lewis, the Wildcats got down 1-3, and head coach Lindsey (LeMay) Majkrzak called a timeout. Goalkeeper Esposito made a save at the other end, then Lakosky added her first of the day from a FPS. Esposito had to make a few crucial saves, Tessa Pearson had to make an incredible save in the dying seconds, and NMU was down 4-2 into the first break.
Lakosky struck to open the scoring in the third half, but was then denied on an ensuing FPS that would have evened the scoring. That would be the only scoring that took place in the second quarter, and the teams would head to the halftime break at 4-3.
The Mavericks opened the scoring in the second half, getting a goal past Esposito, who saved five of seven shots since allowing the first two goals. Emily Radke converted on a FPS, and the Wildcats had two shots on target in an effort to even the match, but Hawkins came up with a pair of stops. The Wildcats created a turnover in their own end before the ‘Cats stormed down and Sisson found a cutting Lakosky, who completed the hat-trick and evened the match at 5-5. Esposito came up big with a crucial stop from a free position shot to keep the match even, and Carrico stepped into a free position shot of her own and gave the ‘Cats its first lead of the day. Lakosky found Carrico as the shot clock was expiring to give NMU a two-goal cushion, but Mesa scored with nine seconds left to bring the ‘Mavs back to one down.
The ‘Mavs brought the game back to seven aside after an NMU attack, but Carrico answered back to complete the hat-trick and regain the ‘Cats lead. Lakosky was denied on a FPS, but Annabelle Johnson found the groundball to allow the attack to continue, and Lorinser would capitalize to extend back to a two-goal lead. The ‘Mavs got a FPS with one minute left, and it was Esposito once again who stood tall, making a crucial save in crunch time. Esposito had to make one more save from a free position attempt, corralled the ground ball, and the Wildcats emerged victorious.
Up Next
The Colorado road trip continues, as the ‘Cats take on Colorado Springs on Wednesday, March 4, at 4 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. MT.
