PUEBLO, Colo. – After trailing by just one goal at halftime, the Fort Lewis College women's lacrosse team surrendered 13 second-half goals in a 15-2 nonconference loss to McKendree University.
The Skyhawks were outshot 37-23 overall, including a 27-14 advantage in shots on goal for McKendree. Fort Lewis also struggled with turnovers, committing 27 while finishing 17-for-27 on clear attempts.
Senior Diamond Velasco scored one goal and led the team with six ground balls. Junior Piper Price added the Skyhawks' other goal off an assist from freshman Kelcie Bolling. Senior Samantha Rodgers recorded a game-high four caused turnovers, while junior goalkeeper Olivia Tilbury finished with 12 saves (.444) and two ground balls.
McKendree opened the scoring just one minute into the game, capitalizing on a turnover to take a 1-0 lead. Fort Lewis responded on the next possession when Bolling found Price at the top of the circle to even the score.
The Skyhawks' defense forced several turnovers over the next three minutes, giving the offense opportunities to test McKendree goalkeeper Amber Hayden. Strong play from both goalkeepers kept the game tied through the midway point of the first quarter.
Fort Lewis earned two woman-up opportunities after green and yellow cards against the Bearcats, but McKendree broke the tie at the 5:09 mark following another Skyhawks turnover. The final minutes of the quarter featured caused turnovers from sophomore Ellie Clough and Rodgers and several more saves from Tilbury. Fort Lewis had one last possession before the period ended but committed a turnover, leaving McKendree ahead 2-1.
The defensive battle continued into the second quarter. Tilbury made two early saves to keep the deficit at one, while both teams traded turnovers through the midpoint of the period. McKendree added a pair of shots that sailed wide as Hayden also came up with consecutive saves to preserve the lead.
Junior Victoria Barletta had a free-position opportunity late in the quarter but missed wide. In the final minute, senior Zoi Delgado placed a shot on goal after a pass from senior Valerie Garcia found the senior in front, but Hayden recorded another save. McKendree had one final chance before halftime, but Rodgers blocked a shot and Tilbury made a save on the ensuing attempt, sending the game to the break with the Bearcats leading 2-1.
McKendree broke the defensive stalemate quickly in the third quarter, scoring less than a minute into the half to extend the lead to 3-1. The Skyhawks were briefly down two players and surrendered another goal with 13:48 remaining in the quarter.
Tilbury responded with back-to-back saves to regain possession, but another Fort Lewis turnover led to a McKendree goal that pushed the lead to four. After a timeout, the Skyhawks won the draw and generated a shot from freshman Adalyn Murray, but Hayden made the save.
The Bearcats then scored three goals in a 20-second span to extend the lead to 8-1 with 6:20 remaining in the quarter. McKendree added a woman-down goal shortly after before play slowed for several minutes.
Velasco broke through at the 1:30 mark with her third goal of the season on a free-position attempt to make it 9-2. Fort Lewis had four shots during a woman-up advantage in the final minute of the quarter but could not convert.
McKendree continued to pull away in the fourth quarter. After several minutes of defensive play from both sides, Jayna Barnden scored her fifth goal of the afternoon. Three more quick goals pushed the Bearcats' lead to 13-2 and triggered a running clock. McKendree added two late goals to seal the 15-2 victory.
Fort Lewis (0-2) will make its home debut Saturday at 1 p.m. with its annual Nike N7 game against CSU Pueblo.
