Box Score DENVER, Colo. – In one of the most intriguing matches of the season, the No. 15 ranked Regis University women's lacrosse team (10-2, 2-1 RMAC) battled No. 6 Lindenwood University (12-2, 4-0 RMAC) in a matchup for the ages. Regis came out on the losing end 14-10, but never gave up against a team that has been cruising through the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
The Rangers netted the first goal of the game as sophomore Rachael Walker and senior Hilary Duda connected for a goal in the second minute of the game. LU would go on to score four unanswered goals after Walker's opening goal.
RU and the Lions traded goals back and forth as senior Melissa Hastie, freshman Wendy Donier, and Duda all scored goals in the final 12 minutes. Besides Duda, senior Katie Larson was the only other player for Regis to pick up an assist in the first half.
LU took a 7-4 lead into the halftime break after they scored a goal with five seconds left in the first half. Things got off to a rocky start for the Rangers in the second half as the Lions went on a 3-1 scoring run to take their largest lead of the game at 10-5.
RU came together and went on their own 3-1 run to bring the score to 11-8 with 7:36 left in the half. Junior Erin Steiner got the run started with her first goal of the game, as Walker netted her second to keep the run going. Bonner capped off the 3-1 run with her first goal of the game, while also energizing the team with her play on the field.
Donier and senior Erin Todd scored goals in the 26th and 27th minutes respectively to keep Regis in the game, trailing by three goals 13-10. A goal by LU with 46 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the visitors.
Despite the loss, the Rangers matched up well against the No. 6 team in the nation. Seven players for RU netted goals in the game with Donier, Walker, and Hastie grabbing a team-high two goals apiece. Duda collected four assists on the day to lead both teams, while also scoring a goal of her own.
The goalies for each team had eight saves in the game, but sophomore Kenley Harrington took her second loss of the season and is now 9-2 on the year. Each team committed 15 turnovers in the game, LU outshot Regis 30-25 but the Rangers had 14 draw controls to 12 for the visitors, while also tracking down two more ground balls 23-21 in the game.
The effort of today's game will not be wasted as the team fought hard against one of the nations top teams, and came out with great game experience that they can use for the remainder of the season. The women's lacrosse team will remain at home this weekend to face Rockhurst University (6-6, 0-0 RMAC) on Saturday, April 16 at noon.
