Crestview Hills, Ky. - The Quincy University women's lacrosse team kicked off a weekend of lacrosse on Friday afternoon (Feb.14) with a neutral site loss to Ashland University. The final was 20-11, after a battle in the first half, the Eagles of Ashland took the game and ran.
Emily Leal started things off for the Hawks with back-to-back goals to take the lead from the Eagles. Anni Moran helped the Hawks regain the lead after the Eagles tied it up off an assist from Amelia Ham. Madison Whiting Wagner made her first key save of the game on a free position shot from the Eagles just a minute later. Moran scored a second unassisted goal to conclude the Hawks' scoring for the first. The Eagles turned around and scored four unanswered goals, three within three minutes, in the first quarter. The Hawks finished the first up a goal.
Ashland went on a four-goal rally to start the second quarter, and it wasn't until the final minute and a half that the Hawks created some offensive power. Ham found Moran for her third goal of the game. Ham then got her own goal shortly after the Hawks won the draw control. The Eagles extended the lead just before the clock ran out to end the half 8-6.
The Eagles outscored the Hawks 5-2 in the third quarter. Alaina Wilkinson and Ham each scored solo shots in the third. Combined the teams scored nine goals in the final 15 minutes of play, six in favor of the Eagles. Leal found Moran early on in the quarter before scoring her second free position shot with seven minutes to go. Wilkinson finished the Hawks off with another free position shot in the final minute.
On defense the Hawks had a plethora of ground balls, Mikenna Ham and Elise Bruggeman fought for 5 and 4 respectively. Mikenna Ham also led the team this afternoon with 3 caused turnovers. In cage, Madison Whiting Wagner had a stellar day. Facing 40 shots throughout the game, she was able to make 16 saves, a new career high for the junior.
The Hawks struggled to transition the ball, leading to more scoring opportunities for the Eagles. Quincy was 15-22 on clears and was behind in draw controls. The game was a constant back and forth with both teams having double-digit turnovers; however, the Eagles were able to capitalize on the Hawk's turnovers throughout the game and turn them into goals.
The Hawks can be spotted again tomorrow (Feb. 15) at 1 p.m. when they face off against the Saints of Thomas More University. This will be the first time these teams will have met on the field.
