Northwestern
4-0
Penn State
2-1
Wildcats Power Past No. 7 Penn State, 24-13
3/11/2021 5:28:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern handed No. 7 Penn State its first loss of the season, 24-13. The 'Cats remain undefeated and extend their win-streak to four games.
The Wildcat offense was unstoppable, powered by career performances from senior Lauren Gilbert and sophomore Erin Coykendall. Gilbert led the field with a career-high seven goals, while contributing a team high seven draw controls. Meanwhile, Coykendall put up career-highs in goals with three and assists with four.
In all, eight 'Cats found the back of the net and five registered multiple goals. Junior Izzy Scane followed Gilbert with five goals and two assists, while graduate student Sammy Mueller notched four goals. The Wildcats' firepower proved too much for Penn State, and they outshot the Nittany Lions 38 to 33 and 31 to 25 in shots on goal.
Northwestern beat the Nittany Lions at the draw circle 21-18; highlighted by a career high five draws collected by senior Jill Girardi, to go along with a goal and an assist. The Wildcats hounded the ball on defense, beating the Nittany Lions in both ground balls (18 to 15) and caused turnovers (8 to 5.) However, junior Madison Doucette was the superstar of the Northwestern defense matching her previous career high with 11 saves.
Mueller found the back of the net first off an assist from Scane, who went on to score herself on the very next possession. Northwestern's defense easily stopped the Nittany Lions and gave the ball back to the offense for two more quick goals from Gilbert and Scane; forcing Penn State to take a time out in a 4-0 deficit.
The two teams traded goals coming out of the timeout, before some staunch defense left them both scoreless for over five minutes. With just 10 minutes left in the half Penn State went on a 3-0 run to cut the Northwestern lead to two. The 'Cats quickly responded with their own 3-0 run, powered by two goals and an assist from Gilbert. Penn State found another short run to end the half but were unable to tie it up, leaving the 'Cats with a slim 11-9 advantage.
Penn State opened the second half with a free position goal, but the Wildcats put up another 3-0 run to extend the lead once again. Doucette pulled off three consecutive saves to stifle Penn State and allow her offense to put up a 12-1 run, doubling Penn State in points and running the clock. Seven of the eight 'Cats who scored found the back of the net during this extended run. The Nittany Lions grabbed the last goal of the game, but it wasn't enough and the Wildcats took the first game of their two-game set against Penn State.
Northwestern will return to Ryan Fieldhouse on Saturday at 2 p.m. where they will face Penn State once again.
