By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's lacrosse team dropped their 2021 home opener Saturday afternoon to Loras (Iowa), 16-13.
Loras built a quick lead in the game before a goal from Eau Claire's Lilia Pugh (Jr.-Stillwater, MN/St. Croix Prep) off an assist from Kylah Krause (So.-Belleville, IL/East). The Duhawks extended their lead to 6-1 before three straight goals from the Blugolds, two of them coming from Riley Domagala (Fr.-Bloomington, MN/Jefferson).
Eau Claire was unable to tighten the game further and went into halftime down 12-6. Kelli Cole (Jr.-Eden Prairie, MN/Minnetonka) scored the final two goals of the half for the Blugolds.
The Blugolds came out strong in the second, going on a run of their own to make the score 13-12 midway through the half.
They hovered around the remainder of the action, but were unable to wrestle away the lead. Pugh scored the final goal of the game, but Eau Claire still fell short, 16-13.
The Blugolds out-shot Loras, 39-37, and also had an advantage in shots on goal. They also held an advantage on ground-balls and only had four turnovers.
Domagala and Pugh led the way with three goals apiece. Three other Blugolds also added two, including Cole, Sherian Larson (Jr.-Apple Valley, MN), and Tomoe Hashiguchi (Sr.-Tokyo, Japan/Hiroo Gakuen). In goal, Bryanna Brost (So.-New London, WI) managed 15 saves.
The defeat leaves Eau Claire at 1-1 on the 2021 season. They will be back on the road next Saturday against Concordia-Wisconsin at noon and Marian (Wis.) at 5 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
