Lacrosse advances to second round of NCAA Tournament

By Charlie Sidles

11:18 p.m. May 12 2018

Check out the best sights from tonight's record-setting win over Richmond! pic.twitter.com/baG4nbXN8r
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) May 12, 2018

Selena Lasota catches the ball in transition and breaks for goal with only one Richmond player in a position to stop her. Lasota spins around the defender and fakes a shot before burying the ball in the bottom right corner for a goal, one of the nine she scored Friday night to tie the program record for goals in a game.

Lasota’s nine goals powered the women’s lacrosse team to a 24-18 first-round NCAA tournament win over Richmond. The Wildcats controlled the game from the very beginning after two opening-minute goals. They continued their great offensive performance throughout the first half and finished the period up 15-8, with six of their goals coming from Lasota and another three coming from attacker Sheila Nesselbush. Goalie Julie Krupnick also had an impressive first half with five saves.

Richmond started the second half very well and quickly cut the Northwestern lead to 17-14. However, the Wildcats were able to respond to the pressure very well. Lasota scored three goals and assisted one to pull the Wildcats back ahead by 6 goals. Northwestern did not have a particularly impressive defensive half, conceding 12 goals, but they did enough offensively to maintain their lead throughout and keep their season alive.

Lasota was the star of the game with 9 goals, 2 assists and 5 draw controls. Whether the situation was up a player, down a player, off a faceoff, in transition or setting up her teammates, Lasota was constantly creating scoring chances.

Nesselbush also had a career night with 6 goals and 1 assist, giving her career highs in both goals and points.

The win advances the Wildcats to the second round of NCAA tournament for the 14th-straight season, where they will take on regional host Towson (16-4).