Northwestern lacrosse (13-4, 5-1 B1G) lost their final regular season game in the de facto regular season championship at Maryland (16-1, 6-0 B1G) by a score of 16-20 Thursday evening. The loss was their first in over a month, putting an unfortunate end to an otherwise very successful season.
The Wildcats had a strong second half, but it was not enough to overcome their seven-goal halftime deficit. Maryland started the game very well, scoring the first four goals. Redshirt freshman goalie Julie Krupnick, who had been playing very well prior to Thursday night, struggled early in the game, stopping only five of the 20 shots she faced. She was replaced by junior Mallory Weisse who brought a new energy to the ‘Cats, stopping 12 of the 17 shots she faced.
Weisse’s elevated play ignited the ‘Cats, who scored four consecutive goals after she entered the game. The scoring streak made the game interesting until the final whistle but Northwestern could not continue to cut the large deficit. The prospects for a second-half comeback looked the brightest following this gem from Megan Gordon to Nicole Beardsley that brought the Wildcats within 5 with just under 12 minutes to go.
🎥 Look at the run and dish by Megan Gordon to Nicole Beardsley 🎥#B1GCatspic.twitter.com/UoY5TG8CdY
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) April 27, 2018
Selena Lasota scored two goals in the contest, moving her into a tie for eighth place with Hannah Nielsen (174 goals) on the program all-time scoring list.
The loss puts Northwestern in second place in the Big Ten. They will be the two seed in next weekend’s conference tournament and will play third-seeded Penn State in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Friday. Northwestern could advance to the conference final with a win over the Nittany Lions, who they beat 17-13 earlier this season.
Locked in and focused on the @B1GLacrosse Tournament. #B1GCatspic.twitter.com/3B9LEj2xQP
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) April 29, 2018