Wildcats Falter versus No. 1 Stony Brook

Saturday, March 3

Evanston, Ill.

12 p.m.

Northwestern

4-2

Stony Brook

4-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Stony Brook	6	9	15
Northwestern	3	7	10

Photo by: Stephen J. Carrera

Wildcats Falter versus No. 1 Stony Brook

3/3/2018 2:57:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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EVANSTON, Ill. — Senior Sheila Nesselbush had a career-high five points and classmate Shelby Fredericks dominated the draw circle, but the eighth-ranked Northwestern lacrosse program wasn't able to make the most of its opportunities in suffering a loss to No. 1 Stony Brook, 15-10.

Nesselbush scored three goals in the first half alone before adding a goal and an assist in the second half for her first-career five point game. Fredericks notched her first double-digit draw performance of the season and ninth of her career with 13.

The Wildcats (4-2) pushed the top-ranked Seawolves (4-0) to the brink for the majority of the contest before a scrambling defense gave up a pair of late goals to skew the final score. The 'Cats trailed 6-3 at halftime, but came out of the break on fire and swung momentum completely in their favor.

A pair of goals — the first from junior Kim Harker and the second from sophomore Megan Kinna — cut the deficit to one less than four minutes into the second half, 6-5. The Seawolves did respond with four unanswered for their largest lead of the game, 10-5, but the 'Cats weren't done.

With Fredericks dominating the draw and retaining possession time and time again, NU started to chip away at the lead. First-year Taylor Pinzone scored a quick goal on a feed from Fredericks and senior Danita Stroup followed with a goal just over a minute later to make it a three-goal game, 10-7.

Nesselbush scored her fourth of the game on an assist from Kinna with 13:11 on the clock and another Fredericks draw control put the 'Cats back on attack. Fredericks was fouled inside the eight-meter line and buried her free-position opportunity, but the conversion that would have made it a one-goal game was called off due to an illegal stick.

And just like that, the momentum swung again. Stony Brook immediately scored on the following possession, sparking a 5-2 run to close the game and secure the victory.

Northwestern was just 2-for-11 on free-position shots in the contest and was 0-for-2 on woman-up opportunities. The Wildcats were able to put 21 shots on goal, but Stony Brook's Anna Tesoriero made 11 saves in the contest.

In addition to Nesselbush's career day, Kinna finished with a career-high three points on two goals and an assist. Stroup finished with two goals and senior Nicole Beardsley matched her season and career high with a pair of assists.

First year Megan Gordon and redshirt first-year goalkeeper Julie Krupnick led the team with three ground balls apiece.

Chicago's Big Ten Team will be back in action next Saturday, March 10 when they continue their six-game homstand versus Marquette. Opening draw is scheduled for noon.