PUEBLO, Colo. – Two Skyhawks recorded multi-goal performances on Sunday, but Fort Lewis fell 18-7 to CSU Pueblo in conference women's lacrosse action.
The Skyhawks were outshot 38-19, including a 31-15 margin in shots on goal. CSU Pueblo held a slight 14-12 edge in draw controls and forced 21 Fort Lewis turnovers.
Senior Diamond Velasco led the offense with three goals, while junior Rilee Powless added two. Sophomore Sierra Lund and freshman Kelcie Bolling each found the back of the net once. Senior Valerie Garcia paced the defense with four ground balls, and senior Sydney Tannaci contributed three ground balls and three caused turnovers. Junior Olivia Tilbury recorded 13 saves in goal.
CSU Pueblo capitalized early, using a yellow card advantage to score less than a minute into the game. A second yellow card, followed by a green card, helped the Pack build a 4-0 lead within the first four minutes. Tilbury responded with a pair of saves, including one on a free-position attempt, but the Pack extended the margin to 5-0 midway through the opening quarter.
Bolling put Fort Lewis on the board, and the Skyhawks quickly added another after winning the ensuing draw, with Velasco scoring to cut the deficit to 5-2. CSU Pueblo added one more goal before the end of the quarter to take a 6-2 lead.
In the second quarter, CSU Pueblo extended its advantage with three early goals, pushing the score to 9-2 with 10:50 remaining. The Skyhawks generated a few scoring chances but were unable to convert, while additional penalties allowed the Pack to capitalize on another woman-up opportunity to reach double digits. Velasco scored on a woman-up chance late in the half, but CSU Pueblo carried a 12-3 lead into the break.
The third quarter opened with strong defensive play on both sides before CSU Pueblo struck again two minutes in. Velasco completed her hat trick at the 5:57 mark, and Powless added another goal later in the quarter to make it 14-5. Continued fouls led to another free-position goal for the Pack, triggering a running clock. Grace Butler recorded a caused turnover late in the quarter.
CSU Pueblo added two more goals early in the fourth to extend the lead to 17-5. Velasco forced a turnover that led to a Fort Lewis scoring chance, but the shot hit the post. After a lengthy scoreless stretch, Powless broke through with a woman-down goal, and Lund added a late score to round out the 18-7 final.
Fort Lewis closes the regular season next week with road games at Colorado Mesa and Westminster.
