Northwestern
14-0
Denver (NCAA Second Round)
16-2
Northwestern Dominates Denver in Opening Win of NCAA Tournament
5/16/2021 2:58:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern will advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament after rolling over Denver with a 19-4 victory.
Nineteen Wildcat goals marks the most scored against Denver by any opponent this season. Scane led the charge with a whopping eight goals, for a total of 89 on the season breaking the previous program record for single season goals. Lauren Gilbert followed with three while Erin Coykendall, Sammy Mueller and Dylan Amonte all notched two apiece. Coykendall also posted a game-high six assists, five of which were sent Scane's way.
Northwestern's defense was also strong, held down by Jill Girardi and Madison Doucette. Girardi had a dominant game, causing a career high five turnovers and tying her career high with 12 draw controls. Doucette registered a whopping seven saves on just four goals allowed.
Denver found the goal first, but Brennan Dwyer quickly responded off an assist from Erin Coykendall. Sammy Mueller came up next with a free position and Coykendall pulled off another assist to Scane, building a 3-1 lead. The teams went back and forth for about ten minutes before Dylan Amonte launched one from outside the fan to break the deadlock and start a media timeout.
Scane came out of the timeout with another rocket off a drive down the middle. The Pioneers managed to sneak one more in with Madison Doucette playing high out of the goal, before Coykendall brought things back to Northwestern's side with a strong eight meter free position. Scane drew another free position and dumped it off to Mueller who came around the backside of the goal to add to their advantage.
The Scane and Coykendall combo struck once again and Gilbert sent home another free position to put the Pioneers down seven points. Denver finally found some momentum and grabbed the last two goals of the half
Both teams got off to a slow start in the second half, but Amonte once again broke the deadlock with a strong showing at the free-position. Scane and Coykendall struck again, but this time Coykendall had the goal and Scane the assist.
Gilbert snuck in a roll shot just before Scane started to take over, grabbing two long-range goals back to back and setting the clock running. Coykendall served up two more for Scane, once again on back to back possessions. Eve Hritzuk followed with her first goal of the season and the last of the game on a free position opportunity. Ultimately, the second half culminated in a dominant 10-0 run by the Wildcats
The 'Cats will be back at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium next weekend to face No.7 Duke in the quarter finals.
