DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Women's Lacrosse team, ranked #10 in the most recent IWLCA Top-25 Coaches Poll, defeated #13 Grand Valley State University (Mich.), 12-5, in their home opener on Sunday afternoon. The Rangers improve to 2-3, while the Lakers fall to 3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Rangers had four early shots on goal, but the Lakers would be the first to score. Brigit Goetsch had two saves in the first quarter, while Grand Valley had five, and the 1-0 after the first period.

GVSU scored their second goal early in the second quarter before Shea Murphy got the Rangers on the board with an unassisted goal at 12:26. Grand Valley responded a minute later to go back up 3-1. With 10 minutes left in the half, Megan Bunker started a 3-0 run with an unassisted goal followed by a Kyla Bieker-assisted goal by Murphy, and a Justine Spahr goal assisted by Becky Goetsch. Madeline Schallmoser added another shot on goal while Brigit Goetsch saved one more, leaving the score at 4-3 going into the break.

The Rangers carried the momentum into the third quarter, as Lexie Springman scored two early goals. After a Murphy shot on goal, Becky Goetsch found the net for the 7-3 lead. GVSU scored two minutes later, but neither team would score again for the final 9:23 of the third. Schallmoser and Terah Skillings both caused turnovers, while Springman and Spahr landed shots on goal, the Laker defense held.

Bunker started the final period by causing a turnover, the ground ball picked up by Spahr, but Grand Valley scored, closing the Rangers' lead to 7-5. However, from then on Regis took over, as Alyse Valdez scored on a Spahr assist, and Murphy scored two more goals, one set up by a Kaitlynn Lazaro ground ball pickup. Bunker added a goal and Springman had the final goal of the game, scoring woman-up with 3:50 left in the game.

GAME NOTES

·         Murphy led all players with four points on four goals, while Springman added three points on three goals

·         Spahr, Bunker, and Be. Goetsch had two points apiece

·         Zoe Ziegler had three points for Grand Valley

·         Murphy and Springman both landed eight shots on goal

·         Bunker collected seven ground balls and caused four turnovers

·         Br. Goetsch posted the win with 10 saves

·         Kaylyn Cater recorded the loss, saving seven shots

UP NEXT

The Rangers return to action on Friday, March 14, hosting Colorado Mesa University to open RMAC play.