EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's lacrosse team lost a heartbreaker to Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.) on Wednesday night, 11-10.
Eau Claire scored the first three goals of the night, with two coming from Kelli Cole (Jr.-Eden Prairie, MN/Minnetonka) and one from Kylah Krause (So.-Belleville, IL/East).
Northwestern responded with a four-goal run of their own, but Emmalyn Tritschler (Fr.-Eagan, MN/Eastview) scored right before halftime to send it into the break 4-4.
Northwestern out-shot Eau Claire in the first half 16-12, but the Blugolds put more on goal, with ten hitting their target.
The game remained tight throughout the entirety of the second half. The Blugolds struck first off another goal from Cole, with an assist coming from Jessica Borer (Jr.-St. Michael, MN). The two teams would trade goals the rest of the way, with the score tied at 10 in the final minutes.
The Blugolds had several opportunities to take the lead in the closing minutes, but a Northwestern goal with just 11 seconds remaining proved to be the difference.
While the Eagles ended up out-shooting Eau Claire, the Blugolds won more ground balls (33-25) and held the turnover advantage (9-5).
Cole scored four goals on five shots, while also collecting five ground balls. Tristchler had a pair of goals, with four other Blugolds also getting in the scoring column. Bryanna Brost (So.-New London, WI) tallied 14 saves in goal.
The loss leaves Eau Claire 3-2 on the 2021 season. They'll be back on their home field next Wednesday when they square off against Hamline University (Minn.), with the game scheduled for 5 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
