Northwestern
2-0, 2-0B1G
Johns Hopkins
0-2, 0-2B1G
No. 4 'Cats Start Weekend with 17-8 Victory
2/26/2021 2:29:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
BALTIMORE, Md. – The 'Cats started their weekend double-header against Johns Hopkins on the right foot with a 17-8 victory over the Blue Jays.
Junior Izzy Scane led the field in goals, assists and points. She posted four goals and two assists to combine for six points. Scane was all over the field, also grabbing three ground balls and causing a turnover. Sophomore Erin Coykendall also contributed two assists while finding the back of the net herself. Senior Lauren Gilbert followed Scane in goals with a hat trick and three other 'Cats posted two goals apiece: graduate student Sammy Mueller, senior Taylor Pinzone and first-year Leah Holmes.
Once again the Wildcats found success by keeping the ball in the opponent's back field, putting pressure on the defense. The 'Cats posted 31 shots on goals to just 13 from the Blue Jays. Senior Brennan Dwyer led the field at the draw with 10, contributing to Wildcat dominance at the circle; the 'Cats pulled down 20 draw controls to just 7 by the Blue Jays. Northwestern's midfield defense was stifling, holding Johns Hopkins to just 15 for 29 in clearing.
The Blue Jays got off to a quick 3-0 lead before Gilbert found a response. The two teams traded goals and Johns Hopkins was able to maintain a three-point lead. Scane posted her first goal of the game with 15 minutes left in the half to spur an 8-0 run by the Wildcats. Junior Madison Doucette pulled off a clutch save on a Johns Hopkins free position with thirty seconds left on the clock to keep the momentum with the Wildcats going into half-time.
The Northwestern offense was deep with eight 'Cats finding the back of the net in just the first half. Gilbert, Scane and Mueller posted two apiece while senior Lindsey McKone and Coykendall posted a goal and an assist each. Gilbert and Scane also posted an assist each, running an efficient Wildcat offense. Northwestern found success when it maintained possession on the Blue Jays back field. The 'Cats put up 18 shots on goal to only nine from Johns Hopkins. Northwestern also controlled the draw, pulling down 13 while the Blue Jays could only find five.
Gilbert opened up scoring out of the locker room off a dime from Scane, extending the lead to 12-6. After some back and forth between the teams, Holmes grabbed her career-high second goal on a Coykendall assist. The Blue Jays were finally able to end a 12-0 Wildcat run with only 15 minutes left in the game. They went on a short-lived three goal run before, once again, Scane responded with a goal. With time on their side, Northwestern played a safe, balanced offense to keep the ball in their possession. With six seconds on the clock Scane put up a cross-cage cannon to end the game on a high note.
Northwestern will remain in Baltimore for their second game against the Blue Jays. The 'Cats hope to repeat their success for a sweep of Johns Hopkins on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.
