ST. PAUL, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Women's Lacrosse team had played five games on the season entering Saturday's contest, but Saturday marked the first game of the season played at Reynolds Field. The Eagles won their home opener defeating William Penn 14-11.
Playing in front of the home fans for the first time, the Eagles' offense had a very strong afternoon.
Samantha Wiebold (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) scored the first two goals of the game for the Eagles and then teammate
Ava Whitcomb (Otsego, Minn./Rogers) added a first quarter goal to give the home team a 3-2 lead entering quarter number two.
The second quarter belonged to UNW as the Eagles started to pull away. UNW scored four straight goals to open the quarter before William Penn scored just before the half ended. UNW led 7-3 going into the locker room.
Samantha Wiebold (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) (x2),
Abby Scheel (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area), and
Emma Snyder (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) scored the second quarter goals for the Eagles.
Wiebold and Scheel each added goals right away in the third quarter to start the half strong and give the Eagles their biggest lead of the afternoon, 9-3. Despite the deficit, William Penn would continue to fight and attempt to get back into the game. Late in the third quarter, the visitors scored a goal to pull within three. However, 21 seconds later,
Cara Smith (Watertown, Wis./Watertown) scored arguably the biggest goal of the game for the Eagles. The goal halted a 3-0 run from William Penn and gave the Eagles a 11-7 lead while also grabbing momentum back from William Penn.
Maddie Hauer (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West) also scored a goal in the third quarter for UNW.
The fourth quarter was very even as each team scored three goals apiece. The Eagles' fourth quarter goals would come from
Samantha Wiebold (Farmington, Minn./Farmington),
Cara Smith (Watertown, Wis./Watertown), and
Talia Gruthusen (Dryer, Ind./Lake Central). UNW would hold on to win the game, 14-11.
Samantha Wiebold (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) had quite the day for the Eagles. The senior scored six goals to lead the offense in the victory.
Abby Scheel (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) scored twice while also adding three assists.
Cara Smith (Watertown, Wis./Watertown) had two goals, an assist, and led the Eagles with six groundballs.
Talia Gruthusen (Dryer, Ind./Lake Central) had four groundballs to go with her goal as well.
Brittany Clark (Shell Lake, Wis./) made eight saves and got the win in net for UNW.
The Eagles will look to build off of this win when they are back in action at Reynolds Field on Wednesday, March 30
th against UW-La Crosse.
