Scoring six goals in the first six minutes of the game, the Augustana women’s lacrosse team defeated Elmhurst for the second time this season with a 19-2 finish, securing the Vikings a spot in the CCIW tournament final on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The first time the two teams faced off, Augustana won an almost shut out game, scoring 22 to Elmhust’s one on senior day. Some fans thought that today’s match would be a quick win for the Vikings, according to sophomore attacker Anne Hopkins. But, she knew it wouldn’t be.
“We played them last week, and we knew they were going to come out wanting to beat us,” said Hopkins. “Although, a lot of people thought it was probably going to be an easy game. They played their butts off, and we did not expect that at all, but it was a good turnout.”
The turnout resulted in 19 goals made by 11 different Vikings throughout the entirety of the game. Leading scorers included: sophomore attacker Anne Hopkins and senior attacker Hilary Kargl with four goals each. Senior defender and mid-fielder Emily Pavlik and junior mid-fielder Kendall Maduro each added two.
Head coach Meredith Newman attributed her team’s scoring success to thought out passing decisions.
“Our passing got quicker as the game went on, and that was one thing we needed to do,” said Newman. “So, we scored a lot of goals right away on the fast break, and then we got into settled offense, which wasn’t that productive. And then we turned it around and started lighting it up again.”
However, in Newman’s eyes, “lighting it up” didn’t mean trying to score over the 20 point mark.
“Last time it was our senior game, and I kind of let them loose for longer,” said Newman. “The problem is with games like this if you score too many too early, you kind of end up in a tough spot because you don’t want to score too many goals. It’s not fair to the other team; so, beating a team by 20 is generally accepted as being a good sport.”
Instead of trying to beat their score of 22 points, Newman said she had the team focus on its offensive scheme that the Vikings will need later on, especially against Carthage.
“Today, we were more focused on the future, we needed to put them in some uncomfortable situations to kind of see what we need to improve on,” said Newman. “That’s why you see a little bit of a different score, instead of going to it all the time.”
As the Vikings look to the future, Hopkins cited mental focus as an aspect the team needs to work on going into its game against Carthage.
“We definitely know we have a big game ahead of us, and we hope to make it to the NCAA,” said Hopkins. “We have to come focused right off the bat, and we can’t start in the last half. We know that right when we step on the field we have to play like it’s our last game.”
Playing like it’s the team’s last game is an idea held by all members of the team, but resonates mostly with the seniors.
“It means a lot to be on our field for my last possible game ever of my senior year against Carthage, ” said Pavlik. “Carthage is a good team and can take it; so, the focus will be better.”