LEBANON, Ill. – The Quincy University women's lacrosse team suffered a heartbreaking 10-9 loss to McKendree on Sunday afternoon at Leemon Field. The Hawks led by two goals with less than eight minutes remaining, but McKendree scored the final three goals of the contest, including the game-winner with just 19 seconds left. It marked the third time this season Quincy has lost in the final 30 seconds or overtime.
Quincy struck first late in the opening quarter when
Anni Moran scored with 37 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead after one. The Hawks had multiple scoring opportunities earlier in the period but were denied several times by the McKendree goalkeeper.
The Hawks extended the lead in the second quarter when
Alaina Wilkinson scored off an assist from
Amelia Ham to make it 2-0. After McKendree got on the board, Wilkinson answered with a man-up goal to push the lead back to 3-1 with 5:30 left in the half. The Bearcats scored twice in the final 2:35 of the quarter, however, to tie the game at 3-3 heading into halftime.
Quincy regained control in the third quarter.
Amelia Ham opened the scoring with an unassisted goal to make it 4-3. After McKendree answered, Moran scored a man-up goal off an assist from
Rebecca Ritter to put the Hawks back in front.
Amelia Ham then added another man-up goal to extend the lead to 6-4, reaching the 150-goal mark for her career, before McKendree cut it to one. Moran responded once again with another man-up goal in the closing seconds of the quarter to give Quincy a 7-5 lead entering the fourth.
The Hawks pushed the lead to 8-6 early in the fourth quarter when
Elise Bruggeman scored on a man-up opportunity off an assist from Wilkinson. After McKendree answered, Moran scored her fourth goal of the afternoon off another Wilkinson assist to give Quincy a 9-7 lead with 9:56 remaining. The Bearcats answered with a goal at the 7:42 mark, then tied the game with 1:24 remaining on a man-up opportunity. McKendree then found the game-winner with just 19 seconds left to hand Quincy the 10-9 loss.
Quincy was outshot by McKendree 29-26, but held a 25-19 advantage in ground balls and forced 24 turnovers. The Hawks were also effective in the extra-player game, scoring four man-up goals, tied for their second-highest amount this season. Quincy struggled in the draw circle, however, finishing with just eight draw controls compared to 12 for McKendree.
Moran led the Hawks with four goals, while Wilkinson added two goals and two assists. Amelia finished with two goals and an assist, while Bruggeman also scored. Amelia's second goal of the game marked the 150th goal of her career.
Defensively,
Mikenna Ham tied her career high with seven ground balls while also recording four caused turnovers and three draw controls. She also surpassed 100 career caused turnovers, becoming the first player in program history to reach that milestone.
Katie Lato added three ground balls and two caused turnovers, while
Ava Condos finished with 10 saves in goal.
The Hawks will be back in action on Friday, April 24, when they host Lewis University for Senior Day at QU Stadium. Opening draw is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
