Northwestern
9-2 (3-0)
Penn State
5-5 (0-2)
No. 3 Northwestern Cruises to 16-7 Victory at Penn State
4/1/2022 8:09:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Erin Coykendall and Jill Girardi each scored a team-high five goals as No. 3 Northwestern routed Penn State 17-6 on Friday night in State College. The Wildcats (9-2, 3-0 B1G) won their fifth straight game, and dating back to 2019, their 15th consecutive league game.
Both Coykendall and Girardi tied their previous career highs. Girardi also tied her career-high recording 13 draw controls, which helped NU dominate the circle, 21-3.
Northwestern's leading goal-scorer Lauren Gilbert added a hat trick to round out the Wildcat attack.
The 'Cats came out of the gates firing and built a 6-2 advantage in the first quarter, powered by two goals apiece from Girardi and Coykendall. Northwestern cooled off in the second quarter, but still managed to put up four goals - two of which came from Coykendall - and cruised into halftime with a 10-4 lead.
Girardi opened the second half with a draw control and a quick goal to complete her hat trick. Coykendall dealt Girardi a clean behind the back pass for another strike and soon the 'Cats commanded a ten point lead to commence a running clock. Hunter Chadwick ended the third quarter with her second goal of the season off a fast break.
NU's defense recorded a season-low six goals allowed with Madison Doucette tallying nine saves while facing 15 shots on goal. Taylor Regan, Kriston O'Neill and Meghan Murray eached scored three goals for Penn State (5-5, 0-2 B1G).
Northwestern continues its road swing in the Keystone State and faces Penn at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, April 3, in Philadelphia.
