Northwestern
15-0
Duke (NCAA Quarterfinal)
11-8
Northwestern Rolls over Duke in NCAA Quarterfinals
5/22/2021 3:19:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern rolled over Duke, 22-10, on their way to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament.
Lauren Gilbert led the Wildcats with six goals and Izzy Scane followed closely behind with five. Gilbert also pulled down a team-high six draw controls. Once again, Jill Girardi shone on defense alongside Sammy Mueller, both causing three turnovers apiece.
Northwestern got off to a slow start and Duke managed to grab the first two goals of the game. Jane Hansen found a response off a dime from Scane, but their success was short-lived. The Blue Devils rattled off a four goal run, putting the 'Cats down five early.
Goals from Leah Holmes and a ringer from Scane gave Northwestern the spark it needed to creep back into the game. The Blue Devils grabbed one more goal before the 'Cats went on a 5-0 run of their own, sparked by Scane causing a turnover in midfield giving the Wildcats a chance for a goal in transition. Gilbert was able to convert and cut the Blue Devil advantage to just two and forced Duke to call a timeout.
However, the break did nothing to douse Northwestern's offensive fire. Erin Coykendall came out of the time out with another goal off a backside cut. Gilbert tied it up on the next possession with a successful free position. Mueller took the lead for the Wildcats with her first goal of the game and Scane followed to build the advantage.
Duke managed one more goal before the half ended, but Gilbert quickly responded. Scane picked off another pass in the midfield and earned herself a one-on-one with the goalie to bring the lead back to two. Coykendall capped off a 3-0 run with a solo sneak shot, giving the Wildcats a four point lead.
Lindsey McKone came out of half-time firing and increased the Northwestern advantage with a free-position. Scane grabbed another free position and another in transition, keeping the Wildcats firmly ahead of the Blue Devils. Shortly after, McKone and Gilbert both grabbed another one for themselves.
Both teams went back and forth for the better half of ten minutes before Duke finally broke the stalemate with a goal. Gilbert followed with two more solo goals and Brennan Dwyer grabbed one more to create a 10-point Wildcat lead and set the clock running. Carleigh Mahoney added another for good measure, putting down the Blue Devils and advancing to the semi-finals.
The Wildcats will return to the field next Friday to face Syracuse or Florida for the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament in Towson, Maryland.
