KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 24, 2017) – In a back and forth struggle, Colorado State University-Pueblo Women's Lacrosse ended up on the short end of a 14-13 final score at Rockhurst University Friday.
The one-goal loss sends the Pack to 1-5 overall and a 1-3 record in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games. Rockhurst improved to 5-4 overall and 2-1 in RMAC play.
Leah Neumann (Jr., Naperville, Ill.) led the Pack with six points. Neumann potted three goals and handed out three assists. The Pack's co-captain also set a new school record with 11 draw controls. She added a ground ball and a caused turnover.
Taylor Christensen (So., Colorado Springs, Colo.) fired in her first career hat trick with three goals and an assist. Christensen finished with six draw controls for the second consecutive game. She also forced five Hawk turnovers and collected three ground balls.
Freshman Britney Smith (Oregon City, Ore.) set a career-high with three ground balls. Smith also matched Christensen with five caused turnovers. She also controlled two draws.
Alix Zierden (Jr., Elk River, Minn.) picked up her fourth hat trick of the season. Zierden leads the Pack with 17 goals this season.
Sophomore Allison Wurscher (So., Tigard, Ore.) totaled two goals and an assist. Wurscher also caused three turnovers. The three caused turnovers set a new career-high for Wurscher.
Rockhurst started quickly scoring 50 seconds into the game. They would add another to take a 2-0 lead. The Pack answered with goals from Zierden and Allison Kobel (So., Torrance, Calif.) to tie it.
The Hawks would score five of the next six goals to jump in front 7-3. Christensen scored twice for the Pack to cut it to 7-5 at halftime.
The ThunderWolves came out of the locker room on fire, scoring four times to take a 9-7 lead. Neumann scored twice during this run, while Sami LaBella (So., Pleasanton, Calif.) and Zierden each found the back of the net to give the Pack the lead.
With the Pack holding a two goal lead, the two teams traded the next eight goals with neither team getting consecutive strikes. Christensen completed her hat trick to give the Pack a 13-11 lead midway through the second half.
Over the last 10 minutes, the Hawks would score three times. They reclaimed the lead with a man-down goal to win it 14-13.
April McDonough (Jr., Frisco, Texas) made five saves for the Pack in the losing effort. Her record now stands at 1-2.
The ThunderWolves will continue their six-game road trip Sunday with a visit to No. 2 ranked Lindenwood University. Opening draw between the Pack and Lions is set for 11 a.m.
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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. -
