ST.CHARLES, Mo. - 14 months ago, the first-seeded, No. 1-ranked UIndy women's lacrosse team (14-2, 6-1 GLVC) was unsure the next time they'd step on the field in a lacrosse game. On Sunday afternoon, the Greyhounds finished a historic season where they not only achieved their highest ranking in program history, won the inaugural GLVC title but also made their deepest run in the NCAA DII Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. Their tournament quarterfinal opponent, the second-seeded, No. 2-ranked Lindenwood Lions (15-1, 7-0), thwarted the Hounds quest for an NCAA title, Abigail Lagos' hat trick not enough in the 17-13 loss.
INS & OUTS
The Lions kicked the game off on a hot streak, being able to score the game's first five goals within the first 13 minutes of action. The Hounds were able to muster some momentum halfway through the first half, Lagos and Marin Felsoci each scoring a goal in a 90-second span. Lagos would tally two scores in the first half, but the Greyhounds would find themselves in a 8-3 deficit against Lindenwood. UIndy's bright spot came through in their ground balls, securing 11 in the first half alone, Felsoci and Delaney Stahrr scopping a pair each off of the Lions' turnovers.
The second half featured a more aggressive offense in the second half, the Greyhounds slamming 10 goals in the back of the net in the half compared to their three in the first. Lagos started the Hounds' momentum with her third goal of the night, finding a great look from Quinn Malcolm. the Hounds would trade punches with Lindenwood for several scores, Grace Gunneson and Sarah Klein each getting past the goal keeper on unassisted shots. With still a four-goal margin, the Lions extended their lead to six off of back-to-back goals. In response, UIndy pushed their biggest run of the night, knocking in three unanswered scores to close the gap to three scores. Lauryn Hardoy, Peyton Romig and Gunneson would each find a score in a time span of only 74 seconds.
The Greyhounds' defense couldn't find a way to stall out the Lions' offense, seemingly finding a response each time UIndy would close the gap. Romig would finish the contest as the Greyhounds' point leader on the roster, ending the contest with four points (two goals, two assists) in the season-ending 17-13 loss to Lindenwood.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The 23 shots on goal for the Greyhounds was the highest total in the three matchups they've had against the Lions' this season.
- Gunneson's team-leading five draw controls sets a career high in a single game for the senior attacker.
- The Hounds nine turnovers marked the fourth-straight game of single digits in that statistical category.
