PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado State University Pueblo women's lacrosse team used a free position goal from freshman midfielder Ainsley Jackson (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) with 3:37 left in the game here Monday afternoon to post a come-from-behind 9-8 win over Missouri Western in a non-conference game at ALG Stadium.

Jackson's game-winning goal capped a five-goal flurry for the ThunderWolves as they came back from an 8-4 deficit with 9:22 left in the third period. The Pack outscored the Griffons, 3-2, in the third period and 3-0 in the fourth period to post the comeback victory.

With the win, the Pack improves to 4-3 and finishes non-conference play at 3-3, while Missouri Western falls to 4-2. The four wins this season are the most for the Pack since going 4-9 during the 2021 season.

The ThunderWolves erased an 8-6 deficit entering the final period, completing the comeback with a late push highlighted by goals from junior midfielder Sophia Rinn (Eagle, Colo./Eagle Valley) with 11:49 left, sophomore attacker Emily Doane (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro) with 8:34 left, and Jackson at 3:37 remaining. The Pack held Missouri Western scoreless over the final 24-plus minutes of the game.

Doane led the Pack offensively with three goals and an assist, while Jackson added two goals and four draw controls, and Sophia Rinn also scored twice. Sophomore midfielder Sydney Gunnels (Dallas, Texas/Coppell) finished with a goal and two assists in the victory.

Missouri Western, who defeated the Pack 19-7 last season in St. Joseph, Mo., jumped out early, taking a 3-2 lead after the first period and building its advantage to 6-2 midway through the second period. CSU Pueblo responded with a late goal from Sophia Rinn before halftime to cut the deficit to 6-3.

The teams traded momentum in the third quarter as Missouri Western extended the lead to 8-4 before the ThunderWolves answered with two goals in the final minutes of the period from Gunnels and redshirt freshman midfielder Sienna Rinn (Eagle, Colo./Eagle Valley) to pull within 8-6 entering the final 15 minutes of play.

CSU Pueblo controlled the ground ball battle, 27-15, including a career-high tying five from freshman defender Maelynn Saucedo (Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt) and received nine saves from junior goalkeeper Breonna Mason (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy), who earned the win in net to move to 2-1 on the season.

MWSU held a 10-9 advantage on draws as Jackson paced the Pack with four draw controls and also held a 25-18 edge in shots.

Caetryn Gilreath paced the Griffons with three goals, while Brooke Tjernlund had three draws in the game.

The Pack lost the turnover battle, 21-15, as the Pack was credited with 11 caused turnovers, including three from junior defender Dylan Retzloff (Bend, Ore./Mountain View). MWSU had 12 caused turnovers in the loss.

Addie DeMars (0-1) played the final 8:34 in goal and took the loss as she allowed two goals and had one save, while Ava Garaway allowed seven goals and made five saves for the game.

The Pack will return to action on Friday, March 20, as they travel to Denver, Colo., for a 6 p.m. Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game against 14th-ranked Regis (3-4 overall, 0-1 RMAC).