Lakosky scored five goals, Lorinser and Habas each recorded hat tricks
ASHLAND, Ohio — The NMU women’s lacrosse team battled in harsh conditions of 25+ mph wind and chilly temperatures to secure a 13-12 win over the Ashland Eagles.
The Wildcats (6-2, 0-0 GLIAC) got major contributions from Josie Lakosky, who paced the ‘Cats with five goals and two assists for seven points. Avery Lorinser (3-1–4) and Hannah Jabas (3-0–3) both recorded hat-tricks. Annabelle Johnson added her fifth of the season, but none were more important than the go-ahead goal from sophomore defender Evita Weiche, who scored her first career goal and game-winning goal with a minute and half left to secure the Wildcat victory.
Lakosky led the field in draw controls with six, junior defender Natalie Thomas paced the Wildcats with four ground balls (the most by her in a single game this season), while Lakosky and Taylor Roberts both caused one ground ball. Lauren Esposito made 12 saves between the pipes for a .500 SV%.
The Eagles jumped out to a 4-1 lead before the Wildcats rattled off a 6-0 run between the first and second quarters. Scoring then bounced back-and-forth with the Eagles (3-4, 0-0 GMAC) taking a 11-10 lead with five minutes to go in the contest. A pair of goals from Jabas and the eventual game-winner proved to be just enough, and NMU would walk away with a hard earned win.
As a team, the Wildcats controlled 26 ground balls to the Eagles 18, and NMU went 19-23 on the clear compared to 16-18 for AU. The Wildcats turned the ball over three more times (20-17), and Ashland held an advantage in the draw circle (11-16).
NMU will round out the weekend with one of the best teams in the country, facing off against #3/5 University of Indianapolis on Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.
How It Happened
The Eagles jumped to an early 1-0 lead after controlling the initial draw, causing a Wildcat turnover in the midfield, and converting on its second offensive possession to start the evening. Lorinser responded with a solid individual effort, beating her defender one-on-one and opening the scoring for NMU. A 3-0 AU run would give the Eagles a 4-1 lead, and head coach Majkrzak used a timeout. Lorinser finished off a great pass from Jabas to cut into the lead with a minute and a half left in the quarter
Lakosky made a great individual effort to cause a turnover as the Eagles were attempting to clear, and would make a perfect pass to a cutting Jabas, who scored to bring NMU within one in the early going of the second quarter.
On the ensuing draw, Lakosky won the faceoff and went the length of the field, beating a handful of defenders to go one-on-one with the keeper and even the score at four apiece. The ‘Cats had a good defensive stop and would go on to get another tally, with Carrico connecting with a cutting Lakosky to take a 5-4 lead, and Lakosky would complete the hattrick on a free position shot and force an Eagle timeout thanks to a 5-0 run to open up the second quarter.
Lakosky came out of the timeout and added her fourth, extending the NMU run to six unanswered, Esposito made two big saves on back-to-back Eagle attempts, but the third attempt found the back of the net, and the Eagles finally were able to snap the streak with only one minute left in the period. The Eagles scored on a free position shot as the seconds ticked down in the half, and despite the ‘Cats dominant middle frame, the Eagles were able to escape into the half only down by one.
The Wildcats started the half with a save from netminder Esosito, and the ‘Cats would go the other direction and score, as Lorinser completed the hattrick. A Wildcat turnover left Wanat all alone with Esposito, and the Eagles brought it back to a one goal deficit, as both teams combined for just two goals in the opening ten minutes and change. Annabelle Johnson scored at man-up to regain the two-goal cushion with 35 seconds left in the quarter.
The Eagles struck again off the opening draw, Fisher converted on a FPS, and just like that the game was notched even at 9-9 in the opening minutes of the final quarter. Lakosky worked her way open and let a shot go from distance, beating the goalie and regaining the NMU lead. The Eagles evened up the scoring once again and had a chance to take the lead, but Esposito made a save to keep things all-square. Lakosky had a chance at her sixth of the evening, but hit the crossbar, and the Eagles used a timeout with just over six minutes to play.
Kane weaved through the defense to give the Eagles the lead, Jabas responded with her second of the game, and the game was back to even with three minutes remaining. Jabas earned a free position shot; her first attemp hit the post, but the rebound came right back to her stick, and she regained the ‘Cats lead in clutch time. Evita Weiche gave NMU the lead in the crazy back-and-forth fourth quarter with just over one minute to go in the game in what would eventually be the game winner.
