PUEBLO, Colo. (February 27, 2016)– In their 2016 season opener, Colorado State University-Pueblo women's lacrosse could not overcome the surging Fort Lewis Skyhawks in a 14-8 loss at the Art & Lorraine Gonzales lacrosse stadium. With the loss, the Pack begins their second season 0-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.

Lindenwood University transfer, Leah Neumann (So., Naperville, Ill.) made an impact in her CSU-Pueblo debut with four goals. The Pack's co-captain also controlled a team-best five draws.

The Pack rushed out to an early 2-0 lead. Allison Wurscher (Fr., Tigard, Ore.) netted the Pack's first goal of 2016 just 26 seconds into the game. Wurscher finished with two goals and an assist in her first collegiate game.

Three Minutes later, Neumann scored her first goal with the Pack to put the ThunderWolves up 2-0.  The Pack's two-goals came in 3 minutes and 14 seconds.

However, Fort Lewis responded with six consecutive goals. The six-goal, 17 minute surge gave the Skyhawks a lead they would never relinquish and silenced the crowd. 

Sami LaBella (Fr., Plaesanton, Calif.) ended the Skyhawks run with a shot of her own. Wurscher earned the assist on LaBella's first of the year. LaBella's goal with 8:57 left brought the Pack back within three. She had four draw controls in the losing effort.

Fort Lewis tacked on another one at the 4:39 mark of the first. This goal allowed the Skyhawks to carry a7-3 lead into halftime.

The Pack fought back early in the second with a pair of goals that cut the Skyhawks lead to two. After being awarded free position attempt, Wurscher rifled a shot into the back on the net to make it 7-4.

On the ensuing draw, Maxine Bartholomew (So., Elk Grove, Calif.)won control and zipped a pass Alix Zierden (So., Elk River, Minn.) at the top of the circle. Zierden launched a shot past Alyssa Spencer to cut the Fort Lewis lead to two just over four minutes into the second half.

The goals kept coming as Fort Lewis got one back less than a minute later. This strike began another three-goal run for the Skyhawks that put them up 10- 5 with 17:12 left in the second half. 

CSU-Pueblo bounced back on their next possession, as Wurscher grabbed a draw and found Neumann on a quick feed. Neumann carried it to the cage and blasted in her second of the game.

With under 10 minutes left in the game, the Pack earned an extra attacker opportunity following a yellow card on Fort Lewis.  Neumann made the Skyhawks pay for their infraction with her third goal of the game to make it 10-7.

The Pack controlled the next draw as  Abigail Holak (So., Duluth, Minn.)snagged the loose ball. Moments later, Allison Kobel (Fr., Torrance, Calif.) dished a pass to Neumann, who potted her fourth goal of the game. Neumann's strike cut the Fort Lewis lead to two, 10-8, with 8:19 left.

However, the Pack would not get another one past Spencer. The Skyhawks answered with four goals of their own over the last eight minutes to close out the Pack and earn a 14-8 win.

Spencer made 11 saves on 20 shots to earn the win. Ellie Carpenter led the Skyhawks attack with four goals.

Ellie O'Brien (Fr., San Diego, Calif.)led the Pack's defensive efforts. O'Brien picked up a team-best four ground balls and caused two turnovers.

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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.