INDIANAPOLIS – Since its construction in 1970, Key Stadium has been a staple on the UIndy campus. The host site of Greyhound football and soccer since its inception, Key Stadium on Saturday became the first facility to host a Division II lacrosse game in the state of Indiana.
In front of a crowd flooded with first-time lacrosse viewers, the Greyhound women's team (1-1) inked their names in the win column for the first time in program history with a 17-3 victory over Urbana University (0-1).
Having been shutout last weekend against No. 3 Lindenwood, the Hounds entered their home opener still in search of that historic first goal. That wait lasted all of three minutes when sophomore
Anna Rulapaugh netted the program's first goal. The ball was removed from play to be kept for historical purposes.
Rulapaugh, one of three mid-year transfers from Pfeiffer University to join head coach
Jillian Howley's squad in January, would add another goal and tallied three assists.
Not to be outdone by their former Pfeiffer teammate, juniors
Chalane Morrison and
Erika Mackenzie were pivotal in the team's offensive game plan. Along with Rulapaugh, Morrison (three goals, four assists) and Mackenzie (four goals, one assist) accounted for more than half of the Greyhound offense.
"It was really important for us to get those three before the season," said coach Howley afterwards. "It's not just their play on the field, but really off of the field. They do a great job of calming everyone down."
A Taylor Henderson goal for Urbana cut the Greyhound lead to 6-2 midway through the first half. From there it would be all Greyhounds, scoring ten unanswered goals to put the game away.
Freshmen
Sydney Hauffman,
Hana Priddy and
Erica Bushold each added a pair of goals, while Laura and
Kate McKee earned their first collegiate goals, as well.
"It was awesome, there were a lot of emotions coming into today," added Howley. "We got our first goal, first win, first game at Key Stadium, and the weather fantastic. You really can't ask for much more than that."
UIndy will head south for a meeting with Alabama-Huntsville next Saturday, Feb. 27 before returning to Key Stadium on March 5 when the Hounds will host McKendree.
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