THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran women's lacrosse team battled early but could not overcome a decisive third-quarter surge, falling 12-6 to Washington & Jefferson College on Tuesday afternoon at William Rolland Stadium.
The Regals stayed within striking distance through the opening half before the Presidents used a five-goal third quarter to pull away.
WJC jumped out quickly, scoring four straight goals in the opening six minutes to take an early 4-0 advantage. Cal Lu responded midway through the first quarter when
Madison Soforenko finished a pass from
Sydney Shin to get the Regals on the board.
Josie Oparanaku added a free-position goal later in the period as CLU trimmed the deficit to 5-2 after the opening frame.
The Presidents extended their lead early in the second quarter, but the Regals continued to answer. Shin converted a free-position attempt to cut the margin to three before Soforenko scored again off an assist from
Sydnee Hill. Cal Lutheran's defense, anchored by goalkeeper
Bella Bravo, held firm down the stretch of the half, sending the Regals into the break trailing 7-4.
WJC seized control in the third quarter, opening the period with two goals before Oparanaku responded with her second of the afternoon to make it 9-5. The Presidents answered with three more goals during the final six minutes of the quarter to build a 12-5 advantage heading into the fourth.
Cal Lutheran continued to fight in the final period and broke through on a man-up opportunity when
Marina Markrud scored off an assist from Shin with just over nine minutes remaining. Despite several late chances, the Regals were unable to close the gap further.
Soforenko and Oparanaku led the Regals offensively with two goals apiece, while Markrud and Shin each added one. Shin also finished with two assists and four draw controls, and Oparanaku contributed three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Bravo recorded 12 saves in goal for Cal Lu, helping keep the Regals within reach throughout the contest.
Cal Lutheran returns to action on Saturday, March 14, when it hosts Edgewood at 11 a.m.
