PUEBLO, Colo. (April 14, 2016) – In their final home game of the season, Colorado State University Pueblo women's lacrosse could not upset No.6 Lindenwood University. The Pack fell to the Lions 14-3 at Art &Lorraine Gonzales Stadium Thursday.
With the win CSU-Pueblo's record now stands at 7-6 with a 2-2 record in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games. The Lions improved to 13-2 (5-0 RMAC).
Freshman Sami LaBella (Pleasanton, Calif.) scored two of the Pack's three goals. LaBella now has 21 goals with eight assists on the season. She two ground balls in the game.
After Lindenwood scored the first five goals of the game, the Pack ended their run with a goal from an unlikely source when Shaylyn Grega (So., Phoenix, Ariz.) scored her first goal of the season. In a rare attack appearance, Grega made the most of her opportunity with her first career goal.
Even with LaBella's two goals and Grega's strike, the Pack fell behind 11-3 at halftime. Sophomores Allye Webb (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Daniella Calvo (Spring, Texas) each had an assist in the first half.
Nicole Burkhauser (So., Auburn, Wash.) took over in net for the ThunderWolves in the second half and quieted Lindenwood's attack. Burkhauser made eight saves on 11 shots in 30 minutes.
Despite Burkhauser's stellar performance in net, the Pack could only muster three shots and could not score in the second half as the Lions came away with a 14-3 win. Lindenwood's Rachel Benzing scored two goals and dished out seven assists to lead the Lions to the victory.
Defensively, Taylor Christensen (Fr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) grabbed seven ground balls. Christensen averaged a RMAC best 4.08 ground balls per game entering the game.
Ellie O'Brien (Fr., San Diego, Calif.) caused two turnovers and grabbed four ground balls. Co-captain Rachael Welzin (So., Farmington, Minn.) controlled a team-high three draws to lead the Pack.
The Lions out- shot the Pack 25-6. They held a 12-5 advantage in ground balls.
CSU-Pueblo will try to get back on the winning track April 22 when they begin their season-ending three game road trip with a visit Adams State. The second meeting of the season between the Pack and the Grizzlies starts at 4 p.m. The ThunderWolves won the first meeting 15-5 back on March 12.
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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.
