The Augustana Vikings women’s lacrosse team lost their battle against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWLX) with a final score of 11-14 on March 6 at home. The Vikings and the Eagles have not faced each other since last year when their last game was against each other before COVID-19.
More than 25 people tuned into the women’s lacrosse game both online and in person.
The leading scorer of the game was Kathryn Hettiger, junior, with a total of four goals, followed closely by Cassidy Petrie, sophomore,with a total of three goals. Courtney Veitch the goaltender, senior,had a total of 15 saves.
Augustana started off strong in the first period scoring off of a turnover made by UWLX leading Margaret Cecilio*, junior, to score an unassisted goal putting Augustana up in the first six minutes 1-0. To continue a strong lead, Sandra Pielechaty, senior, assisted by Cecilio, scored. This was followed by another quick goal by Hettigerand assisted by Pielechaty. This put the Vikings up 3-0 in the first 10 minutes of the first period, leaving the crowd and players on the sideline excited as they jumped around and cheered for the Augustana Vikings.
UWLX came back strong scoring after a turnover by Augie, then scoring immediately again totaling the score to 3-2. Vikings still in the lead allowed for Hettigerand assisted by Pielechatyto score again after a quick draw control by Cecilio leading to a score of 4-2.
UWLX, with a quick turnaround, scored three times ending the first period with a lead on Augustana 5-4.
In the beginning of the second period, UWLX came out strong scoring a total of three goals still leading the Vikings with a score of 8-5. After a ground ball pickup, Cecilio scored again giving Augie another point. UWLX came back scoring again. Pielechaty was given a free position shot leading Augustana to score again totaling 9-6 UWLX still in the lead.
UWLX shortly after was provided a free position shot, but was blocked by goaltender Courtney Veitch, senior, allowing Petrie to score 9-7. After this UWLX scored five goals totaling 14-7 but the Vikings did not give up. Almost immediately after UWLX’s streak, Cecilio scored, making it 14-8.
With less than five minutes remaining in the second period Hettiger and Sydney Rector, junior, both scored a goal finishing with 11-14.
Although Augustana lost, they never gave up and were resilient until the final second of the game. The Vikings roster of just 16 players put up a good fight and are going to take this loss as a learning experience.
Captain on the team Pielechaty said,“Our offense plays went more smoothly compared to the previous games, so that was a huge takeaway. It is awesome seeing our attackers connect and put the goal in the back of the net. We have started clicking as a team and it will only go uphill from here.”
*Margaret Cecilio works for the Observer