Sunday, February 25

Evanston, Ill.

12 p.m.

Northwestern

4-1

USC

2-2

Team	1	2	Final F
USC	3	2	5
Northwestern	4	5	9

Photo by: Colin B Photography

Stifling Defense Leads ’Cats to Win over No. 6/7 USC, 9-5

2/25/2018 2:56:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score PDF Box Score Postgame Notes WATCH: Highlights WATCH: Amonte Hiller Postgame WATCH: Lasota Postgame

EVANSTON, Ill. — The defense was stifling and the offense got hot at the right time in Northwestern's 9-5 victory over No. 6/7 USC at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Wildcats (4-1) held a 4-3 advantage at the break, but the Trojans (2-2) scored the first two goals of the second half to take a 5-4 lead with 14:50 remaining. The 'Cats held USC without another goal the rest of the way and closed the game on a 5-0 run behind three goals from junior Selena Lasota and a pair from senior Danita Stroup to secure the victory over their top-10 foe.

With her three goals Sunday, Lasota moved past USC head coach and former Wildcat Lindsey Munday (140; 2003-06) for 10th in program history with 142 career goals.

Lasota was held in check for the first 40-plus minutes as she was held without a goal and had four turnovers. She would not be denied though, scoring her first goal of the game on a free-position rocket from the left side of the 8-meter arc with 13:37 to tie the game, 5-5. Stroup followed with a goal just over two minutes later on a feed from sophomore Meghan Duffy as the 'Cats reclaimed the lead, 6-5, and Lasota buried another free-position with 8:44 to extend the lead to a pair of goals, 7-5.

While Lasota and Stroup were exchanging goals on one end to turn the game in the Wildcats' favor, the defense was dominating on the other. Not only did Chicago's Big Ten Team hold USC without a goal for the final 14:50 of the contest, the Trojans failed to even attempt a shot over the last 11-plus minutes. Senior Lindsey Darrell, junior Emily Stein and senior Shelby Fredericks each caused turnovers down the stretch to put the ball back in the sticks of the offense.

The Wildcats forced USC into 23 turnovers, including 13 in the second half. Darrell finished the game with a team and career-high four caused turnovers.

Redshirt first-year goalkeeper Julie Krupnick finished with six saves to earn her fourth win of the season. She entered the contest ninth in the country in goals-against average at 7.00 and lowered that number to 6.50 by allowing just the five goals.

Northwestern opened the contest on a 4-1 run to take a commanding lead Sunday. Stroup scored her first of three goals just over eight minutes into the contest and junior Holly Korn beat a pair of defender from behind the cage to tally her third of the season for a 2-1 lead. Stroup picked up on an assist on junior Kim Harker's second goal of the season with 13:31 to go in the first half and Fredericks, making her first appearance of the season, scored her first goal of 2018 on a free-position.

USC responded with four-straight goals however, tallying a pair before the break to pull within a goal and scoring the first two of the second half to take the 5-4 lead.

Fredericks was key in the draw control battle in her return from injury, leading all players with six. First-year Megan Gordon matched her season high for the second time this year with four ground balls.

The Wildcats will be back in action next Saturday, Mar. 3 when it takes on No. 2 Stony Brook at Martin Stadium. Opening draw is scheduled for noon.