ST. PAUL, Minn. – Despite multiple schedule changes over the past week, the University of Northwestern Women's Lacrosse team was ultimately able to sneak in its 2023-24 season opener in the month of February after all, thanks to the leap year. The Eagles squared off with Midwest Lacrosse Conference foe Hamline University, although the game did not count toward conference play since the two will play again later in the season. In a back-and-forth thriller that literally went down to the final minute, the Pipers were able to come away with a come-from-behind, 10-9 victory at Reynolds Field.
The Eagles drew first blood via their captain connection, as
Cara Smith (Watertown, Wis./Watertown) found
Lauren Paar (Centerville, Minn./Centennial) for UNW's first goal of the season just over three minutes in. Hamline put up three consecutive goals to take the lead, but
Emma Ruegemer (Cold Spring, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) found the back of the net off of a
Maddie Hauer (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West) assist with 5:18 remaining in the opening frame. The Pipers, however, were able to score once more before the quarter break on a man-up opportunity to take a 4-2 lead.
Simply put, Northwestern dominated the second period. Despite being down a man, Paar went coast-to-coast and scored to pull within one with 11:16 left. Three minutes later,
Maddie Hauer (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West) continued her strong play with a goal of her own to tie the game at four, assisted by
Abby Scheel (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area).
Ainsley Thompson (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) joined the fun just moments later, scoring with 6:49 left off a feed from Paar. Paar then called her own number once more with 3:42 remaining, weaving her way through the Hamline defense to achieve an impressive, first-half hat trick and make it 6-4 Eagles, a lead they would take into the intermission. Not only did UNW shut out its counterpart in the second quarter, but it also only allowed two shots the entire 15 minutes.
Hamline did not roll over after a tough second period, though. The Pipers scored the first goal of the second half on a man-up opportunity to pull within one, but Paar once again answered the bell, taking a nice pass from Ruegemer in stride and juking out a Hamline defender on her way to her fourth goal of the night. The Pipers were able to tie the game at seven, but UNW closed out the third quarter strong.
Emma Snyder (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) banged home a free position shot to regain the lead, then her fellow Emma (Ruegemer) snagged a nice pass from Scheel and whipped a back-handed shot into the cage with 1:05 left to give Northwestern a 9-7 advantage heading into the final period.
Unfortunately for the purple and gold, the Pipers were able to tie the game at nine with 4:18 left and added the go-ahead score with 1:19 remaining. The Eagles were able to get a couple of looks in the closing seconds as well as their first man-up opportunity, but weren't able to capitalize. Hamline was able to steal a 10-9 win to improve to 2-1 on the young season. Northwestern fell to 0-1.
Paar's four-goal performance was the highlight offensively for UNW, and she also added an assist. Ruegemer added two goals and an assist, while Hauer tallied one goal, one assist and tied for the team lead with three draw controls. Snyder (who finished with two draw controls) and Thompson each scored their first goal of the season as well. Defensively, Smith led the charge with four ground balls, four caused turnovers and three draw controls (all team-bests).
Reegan Duininck (Prinsburg, Minn./Central Minnesota Christian) and
Maren Reu (Sioux Falls, S.D./Sioux Falls Christian) also contributed four ground balls apiece, with the former adding two caused turnovers.
Chloe Solorzano (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) caused two turnovers as well, while
Daisy Koffler (Pine City, Minn./Pine City) finished with a game-high seven saves in cage.
Thursday's loss was an especially emotional one for the Eagles, as they said goodbye to Head Coach
Sarah Connally, who will be moving on to another opportunity after Thursday's opener. Connally departs UNW as the all-time winningest Women's Lacrosse coach and has made a lasting impact on her players that love her dearly.
The Eagles will be back in action Saturday, March 2nd, at Concordia University Wisconsin as part of a women's-men's doubleheader. The women's game is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM in Mequon.
