PUEBLO, Colo. — The Colorado State University Pueblo women's lacrosse team opened the home portion of its 2026 schedule here Monday afternoon as the ThunderWolves dropped an 18-9 decision to undefeated Rockhurst University in a non-conference match at ALG Stadium.

Monday's game was the first of eight home games this season for the Pack as they fell to 2-2 on the season, while Rockhurst improved to 6-0 on the season.

Rockhurst used a strong middle stretch to pull away after a competitive first and fourth periods, as the Hawks outscored the Pack, 9-2, across the second and third period to earn the win.

The Pack struck first in Monday's game as freshman attacker Hillary Grehan (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Murdoch MacKay Collegiate) scored just 36 seconds into the contest and sophomore attacker Emily Doane (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro) followed with a goal 50 seconds later to give the Pack a 2-0 lead less than 90 seconds into the game.

Rockhurst responded with three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead with 10:02 left in the opening period. The Pack tied the game at 3-all following an unassisted goal by Doane with 3:39 left in the period, before RU used back-to-back goals by Meghan Thomas to take a 5-3 lead after the first 15 minutes of action.

The Hawks created separation in the second quarter, scoring six goals in the period while limiting the ThunderWolves to two goals, with the Pack goals coming from junior midfielder Reese Wasmund (Portland, Ore./West Linn) and redshirt freshman midfielder Sienna Rinn (Eagle, Colo./Eagle Valley) to take an 11-5 lead at the half.

In the third period, the Hawks added three more goals to their tally to push their lead to 14-5 entering the final frame.

Both teams scored four goals in the final period as the Pack scored three straight goals in the period after RU opened the period with a goal by Becca Reynolds to take a 15-5 lead. The 10-goal lead, though, was short-lived as Doane scored back-to-back goals with 9:01 left and 6:40 left in the period to cut RU's lead to 15-7. Freshman midfielder Ainsley Jackson (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) added her 12th goal of the season with 6:05 left to pull the Pack within 15-8.

Rockhurst would score two straight goals to push its lead to 17-8, before Jackson added her second goal of the game off an assist from freshman attacker Chloe Mora (Newport Beach, Calif./Orange Lutheran) to pull within 17-9. The Hawks capped the scoring with an unassisted goal by Aubrie Smith with 36 seconds left in the game.

Doane paced the CSU Pueblo offense with four goals, while Jackson added two goals. Grehan, Wasmund, and Sienna Rinn each chipped in a goal, with Wasmund and Mora recording assists.

Defensively, junior defender Dylan Retzloff (Bend, Ore./Mountain View) led the ThunderWolves with four ground balls and three caused turnovers, while Jackson controlled a team-high five draw controls and Doane had three ground balls, a draw control and a caused turnover.

Freshman goalkeeper Hannah Duffee (Bayport, Minn./St. Croix Preparatory Academy) finished with a season-high nine saves, including four in the first period and had three ground balls in the loss.

Rockhurst was led offensively by Elise Magee, as the former Pack player scored four goals and added seven ground balls, while Kylee Pickens tallied three goals, two assists, and five draw controls, and Thomas also had three goals. The Hawks also held advantages in shots (35-17) and ground balls (36-25) in the win.

Courtney Miller (2-0) played the first half in goal and recorded three saves and allowed five goals and had three ground balls, while Kayla Stewart played the second half in goal and allowed four goals, while collecting three saves.

The Hawks also held a 16-13 edge in draws and were 13-for-17 on clears, while the Pack was 14-for-20 on clears. The Pack also had 22 turnovers to 16 for the Hawks. Rockhurst also won the caused turnover battle, 9-8.

CSU Pueblo will continue its home slate with a 4 p.m. game on Thursday, March 12, against McKendree University (4-1).