Friday, April 15

Evanston, Ill.

7 p.m.

Northwestern

6-7

USC

14-0

Team	1	2	Final F
USC	5	9	14
Northwestern	3	8	11

Photo by: Stephen J. Carrera

No. 12 Wildcats Fall to No. 6 USC, 14-11

4/15/2016 9:16:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

By: Kyle Kelley

EVANSTON, Ill. — Outside of the final score, a quick look at the box score would tell a story of a contest handled primarily by the Northwestern lacrosse program Friday night.

Unfortunately, the 12th-ranked Wildcats were unable to come out in front in the final tally, falling to No. 6 USC at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, 14-11.

The Wildcats held a 30-18 advantage in shots, but had five shots hit the crossbar or post. USC on the other hand capitalized on 14 of its 18 shots to snap the 'Cats two-game winning streak and remain undefeated.

Chicago's Big Ten Team entered Friday's contest having scored 37 goals during its two-game win streak and appeared to be on pace to continue the hot streak by jumping out to a 3-1 lead. The Trojan scored the first goal of the game, but senior Kaleigh Craig converted a free-position opportunity at the 27:02 mark to even things up, 1-1.

Sophomore Selena Lasota scored the next two goals for the 'Cats - the first on a rifle from the left side of the fan and the second on a free-position shot - to give Northwestern its only lead of the game, 3-1.

While Northwestern has been dominating in the draw control circle as of late, USC was able to neutralize sophomore Shelby Fredericks in the first half which in addition to the shots off the posts helped USC take control of the game. The Women of Troy closed the first half on 4-0 run to take a 5-3 lead into the break.

The run continued for USC in the second half as they scored just 1:16 in to extend their lead to 6-3. Junior Christina Esposito extended her point streak to nine games with her 21st goal of the season with 26:16 to play, but USC quickly scored two unanswered to push their lead to four, 8-4.

The Wildcats responded with a 3-0 run of their own when Lasota found senior Nancy Dunbar with 19:35 on the clock and Craig scored less than a minute later to cut the deficit to two, 8-6. Freshman Leighton Yenor scored her third goal of the season on a feed from Fredericks with 17:15 on the clock to cut Trojans' lead to one, 8-7.

The Trojans took a timeout and thwarted any chance of a NU comeback by scoring six-straight goals over the next 10 minutes, pushing their lead to 14-7.

NU made one last attempt to repeat a similiar comeback to last year's contest in Los Angeles and were sparked by an unfamiliar name in the scoring column. Lasota opened the run with 6:56 on the clock and then senior Spring Sanders scored her first goal of the season and just second of her career 54 seconds later to cut the deficit to five, 14-9.

Craig capped a hat trick on another turnover by the Trojans with 3:38 to play and again Sanders torched through the Trojans' defense to score her second goal of the game on the ensuing draw control to cut the game to three, 14-11.

Fredericks won her eighth draw control of the game on the ensuing draw, but a Northwestern turnover allowed the Trojans to run two minutes off the clock before the 'Cats got one last chance. Lasota had an opportunity to cut the game to two, but her shot hit the post with 1:37 remaining and the Trojans were able to run out the remainder of the clock.

Lasota and Craig led the 'Cats with three goals apiece, while sophomore Shannon Nesselbush corralled a team-high three ground balls. The 'Cats held a 16-15 advantage in ground balls and finished the game even in the draw control battle, 13-13.

The #B1GCats are back in action on Sunday when they take on Big Ten foe Rutgers. Opening draw is scheduled for noon and a celebration to honor the team's seniors will take place postgame.