Women's Lacrosse Drops Non-Conference Game to UW-Stevens Point

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy University (0-3, 0-1) faced a tough challenge against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (3-0, 0-0), falling 16-3 on Wednesday. Despite the loss, the Mustangs capitalized on two player-up situations.

The game kicked off with UW-Stevens Point's Elysia Pitts grabbing the draw control and swiftly scoring just 14 seconds in. Mount Mercy's Roree Cowley showed grit with multiple ground ball pickups, but turnovers plagued the Mustangs' offense. UW-Stevens Point widened their lead with goals from Kaelyn Deutsch and Addison Novack, showcasing dominant play. Barrie Bahr contributed two goals, one assisted by Marissa Van Dyke, closing the first quarter with a 5-0 advantage for UW-Stevens Point. Lauren O'Toole, guarding the goal for the Mustangs, made several crucial saves to stymie further scoring.

The second quarter saw UW-Stevens Point continuing their offensive surge. Deutsch struck again just 16 seconds into the quarter, setting a decisive pace. Despite turnovers from both teams, UW-Stevens Point capitalized with a player-down goal by Katie Wigen at 9:56 and another from Bahr at 1:31. O'Toole remained a defensive cornerstone for Mount Mercy, but the Mustangs struggled to turn possession into points, trailing 8-0 by halftime.

Deutsch opened the third quarter with a goal at 14:37, assisted by Rowan Dunn. Ava Muller added to the lead shortly after at 13:38. The Mustangs responded with a player-up goal from Shaine Grinde off a free position shot at 9:40, slicing the deficit to 10-1. Aubrey Keeping struck back for UW-Stevens Point with a player-down goal at 7:53, followed by Van Dyke's goal at 3:36, assisted by Bahr, reinforcing their lead. The quarter ended with UW-Stevens Point up 12-1.

Cowley began the fourth-quarter scoring for Mount Mercy, narrowing the gap with a goal at 13:50. UW-Stevens Point answered with Muller's goal at 10:52, assisted by Pitts. Shortly after, Keeping scored again at 9:23, with an assist from Stella Welhouse. The Mustangs took advantage of a player-up opportunity when Kylie Claeys scored at 8:09, assisted by Flora Jimenez. However, UW-Stevens Point remained in control, with Pitts adding another goal at 6:34, assisted by Van Dyke. Bahr capped off the scoring for UW-Stevens Point with a goal at 4:16, sealing a commanding 16-3 victory over the Mustangs.

Grinde showed precision with her player-up goal, making her only shot count. Jimenez contributed with an assist and also placed her single shot on goal. Cowley found the net with one of her four shots, recording an unassisted goal. Claeys converted her sole shot, capitalizing on a player-up chance.

Looking ahead, the Mustangs will host St. Ambrose at Hadzic Field on Saturday, March 21, with an 11 a.m. start time.