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The Lorian
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March 21, 2019
Lacrosse team splits first 2 matches by JON QUINN Sports edito
This past weekend, the Loras College women’s lacrosse team had their season opener against the University of Concordia Chicago (8-13) on Friday, March 15 however, this wasn’t their only game this weekend. The team was able to take it to Benedictine University (17-15) on Saturday, March 16 and capture their first win of the season. “It’s tough playing back to back in a weekend, but it was our first two games and coming off a win in one we’re feeling pretty good,” said Veljacic. “Because we’re such a small team, a lot of our focus this year with so many games coming up is recovery, so taking care of our bodies to be ready for the next game is key.” The team’s season would have started last week, but the poor weather conditions delayed last week’s home opener. This past Friday, the Concordia Chicago Cougars came out hot leaving a 7-4 lead at the halftime break. When the teams came back to start the next half, the Cougars were still steaming from the first half and went on a four-goal streak over a 3:06 time frame to take a seven-goal lead. The blitzkrieg stunned the Duhawks, however the team managed to recover with two goals from first-year mid-fielder Clare Brunn within a five minute time period. With 12:42 remaining and Loras trailing by five, the University of Concordia Chicago went down three players, two from green cards and one by a yellow card. Despite the three-man advantage, the Duhawks were only able to cut the lead down to four with a goal from senior midfielder Renata Veljacic from the free position. With 5:36 left, the cougars scored an insurance goal to put the match out of reach of the Duhawks at 13-8. Junior defender Reb ecca Hiebing made her debut in goal this match after
photos courtesy LORAS COLLEGE ATHLETICS Junior mid-fielder Olivia Flynn handling the ball and working around her defenders. Flynn had five goals against Benedictine University this past weekend that contributed to the team’s first win of the season.
spending the previous two years as a field players. Brunn opened her collegiate career in a big way, becoming the second player in program history to score a hattrick in their college debut, joining junior mid-fielder teammate Olivia Flynn. On Saturday, the Duhawks came out fast, finding the net at the 27:56 mark from senior mid-fielder Adira Dangoy. The lead was short lived as their Benedictine University opponent scored a counter goal 10 seconds later. Veljacic and Flynn scored back to back goals in the 23rd minute within 20 sec-
onds of each other, tying the game at 3 all. Loras then carried that momentum to go on a 3-0 goal run to push a 6-3 lead. Both teams matched each other after that run, ending the first half 10-7 with the lead in favor of the Duhawks. In the second half, Benedictine cut the lead to one after a pair of goals in the 21st minute. Loras responded with a 4-2 run, which was capped by a goal from Flynn. Brunn also topped her opening day hattrick with five goals on Saturday. Hiebing set a new career-high with 12 saves and Veljacic recorded two assists in a single
game for the first time in her career. “The first win was really exhilarating,” said Veljacic. “Our offense created the perfect opportunities and we used them to our advantage that led us to finding those open cutters or drives for goals. Our defense and goalie had a lot of stops in the game, which is huge.” Loras will be on the road this Saturday, March 23 in Monmouth, Ill. to take on the Monmouth Fighting Scots at 1 p.m. at their own facility. To keep up with the game live, be sure to tune in to Duhawks. com.
Softball team looks to find its flow Duhawks are getting their first taste of competition this season in Florida
by MADISON DOUBEK Sports writer
These first weeks of the season have been all about learning how each player fits in the puzzle for the Loras College softball team. Team 44 is a complete new set of skills, and they have been trying to find the perfect way
to optimize all of them. The program has kept that in mind, coming down to Florida. The lineup is constantly changing and head coach Ashley Winter has been challenging the Duhawks every day. Three days in, and the team is 2-3-1, with two more varsity games left to play, along with one varsity
reserve. This trip has been a learning and bonding experience for Team 44. First-year catcher Hannah Wubben said, “I am a quiet person, so it has been nice to be able to take this trip and spend time with the team. Especially being a first-year, and spending a majority of my time with pitchers and catchers, it has been nice bonding with people I normally do not spend time with.” This trip is a pivotal point in the season because of that very reason. They are bonding with players they normally are separated from in practice. It helps with the overall team trust, and the players don’t play for themselves, but for their teammates. Florida was not only beneficial socially, but for strategy as well. Junior pitcher Emily Reilly says, “I feel as though we are still trying to get into our groove, and
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I feel as though we are still trying to get into our groove, and we are just trying to trust the process as we head into conference games.
Emily Reilly
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junior pitcher
we are just trying to trust the process as we head into conference games. We continue to look back at games in order to improve for future play.” This has been evident throughout the week as the Duhawks have gone into extra innings in two separate games. It shows the grit, and determination of the team. In the game against Benedictine University, in the eighth inning, junior outfielder McKenna Hawkins fired one home from left field to throw the winning run out. It is that grit and determination that will propel the team forward entering conference play. Another aspect of the game that has been evident is the speed of the team. Coach Ashley Winter has been excited about using that speed to their advantage in order to get runners into scoring position. They have been having fun trying out different steal plays and testing where they can get extra bases. Aggressive base running has always been something the program focuses on, but this year they are reaching new heights. The Duhawks start conference play on Saturday, March 30 on the road against Nebraska Wesleyan.
