GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – An explosive third quarter by Colorado Mesa put the game out of reach as the Fort Lewis College women's lacrosse team fell 18-6 on Friday.
The loss drops the Skyhawks to 0-11 overall and 0-9 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play with one game remaining. The Mavericks improved to 5-11 overall and 4-5 in conference action.
Colorado Mesa controlled the stat sheet, outshooting Fort Lewis 44-15, including a 30-12 advantage in shots on goal. The Mavericks also held an 18-9 edge in draw controls and capitalized on 24 Skyhawk turnovers compared to their 17.
Senior Marissa LaCivita led Fort Lewis with two goals, while four other players each added one. Senior Victoria Barletta and junior Piper Price recorded assists. Senior Samantha Rodgers posted team highs with five ground balls and four caused turnovers, and junior goalkeeper Olivia Tilbury finished with three ground balls and 12 saves in a complete-game effort.
Colorado Mesa struck quickly, scoring less than a minute into the game and adding another on a free-position attempt to take an early 2-0 lead. Fort Lewis broke through with five minutes remaining in the first quarter on a free-position goal by Murray, but the Mavericks responded with two goals to carry a 5-1 lead into the second.
The Mavericks opened the second quarter with another early goal before Bolling answered on a free-position opportunity at the 8:17 mark. LaCivita followed with a goal to cut the deficit to 7-3, and Fort Lewis added a third straight when Barletta connected with De Haan to make it 7-4. The teams traded goals late in the half, including LaCivita's second, as Colorado Mesa held a 9-5 advantage at the break.
Colorado Mesa took control in the third quarter, scoring four straight goals to extend its lead to 13-5. Despite several key saves from Tilbury and a caused turnover from Rodgers, the Skyhawks were unable to generate offense. The Mavericks added two more goals to take a 15-5 lead into the final period.
In the fourth, Colorado Mesa continued to build its advantage, scoring twice to push the lead to 17-5. Nguyen added a late goal for Fort Lewis off an assist from Price, but the Mavericks closed out the scoring to secure the 18-6 win.
