LEBANON, Ill. (March 7, 2021) – The Colorado State University Pueblo women's lacrosse team lost 18-11 at McKendree University Sunday to close the road weekend 1-1. 
 
Early half goals allowed by the ThunderWolves (1-1) proved to be the difference in the loss. The Pack allowed three goals in the first three minutes of the first half and four goals in the first six minutes of the second frame for a total of seven goals for the Bearcats (3-1) in the seven goal loss. 
 
CSU Pueblo and McKendree were about even on draw controls with the Bearcats leading the category, 16-14. The home team outshot the ThunderWolves, 44-23. The Pack scored on six of their eight free position attempts and allowed McKendree to only produce one goal on six attempts. 
 
Senior Emily Eller (A, Keller, Texas) scored five goals for the second time this season to lead the Pack. She went 4-for-4 on her free position shots. She also added four draw controls.  
 
POSTGAME COMMENT
 
"McKendree came out strong right off the first whistle," said Head Coach Monica Potter. "We struggled controlling the draw, which didn't help. The team never stopped and we did some good things on attack and in transition. It was an extremely physical game when attacking in the 8-meter."

"We are excited for the next game and we will continue to keep fixing and tweaking."
 
PLAYER PERFORMANCES
 
Freshman Bailey Mee (Reno, Nev.) scored and added an assist. She led the team with six draw controls.  
 
Freshman Shelby Weinberg (A, Naples, Fla.) scored two goals off the bench. 
 
Senior Olivia Tener (M, Boise, Id.) added a goal and an assist with two ground balls. 
 
Senior Ane Marie Horton (G, Long Beach, Calif.) made 13 saves. She added three caused turnovers and picked up two ground balls. 
 
SUMMARY
 
The Bearcats used the first three minutes to open a 3-0 lead, then the teams traded goals to the midway point of the half, as Eller's second goal of the day moved the score to 6-4. 
 
McKendree then rattled off two quick goals and finished the half with a 3-1 advantage to lead at the break, 9-5. 
 
Four goals in the first five minutes of the second half by the Bearcats increased their lead to 13-5. A player-down goal by Eller stopped the streak, but two more tallies by the home team put the deficit at 15-6 with 21:04 remaining. 
 
CSU Pueblo would win the final 20 minutes 5-3, which included two goals by Weinberg. 
 
UP NEXT
 
The ThunderWolves open the home season with a nonconference game against Fort Lewis College March 16 beginning at 2 p.m.

-- PACK --