Second verse, same as the first. Northwestern lacrosse remains perfect at Lakeside Field, in muggy fog or Sunday shine, softball locks up bragging rights for Chicago’s best college team –- albeit, with home-field advantage, women’s tennis falters and actually gives up a few sets, and the boys of Spring Quarter athletics continue to fight through some issues early into the quarter.
SOFTBALL
Softball started the week with two non-conference games at home before heading out for a double-header Sunday at Wisconsin. After an emotional past weekend when the team notched the 1,000th victory in program history, win number 1,001 came against DePaul Tuesday in a 6-5 decision followed by a dominant six-run victory over Northern Illinois on Wednesday.
The real news, however, came during the team’s weekend trip to Wisconsin. The first game of the doubleheader saw Northwestern jump out to 6-0 lead before Wisconsin scored six runs in the sixth inning and won the game 9-8. In the second game of the doubleheader, however, Northwestern got revenge by winning 2-0. Freshman pitcher Sammy Albanese recorded the shutout, allowing three hits, three walks, and nine strikeouts.
BASEBALL
The boys had a tough week, going 1-3 in games against Milwaukee and Penn State. They dropped a 10-4 decision Tuesday against Milwaukee before getting shut out by Penn State in the first game of their doubleheader on Saturday and losing the second game 7-3. The original first game, scheduled to be played on Friday, was postponed to Saturday, leading to the rare doubleheader.
The lone win came in the last game against Penn State Sunday, with Northwestern squeaking out a 9-8 victory. Sophomore Jack Havey drove in five runs, including a two-run single that gave Northwestern the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Havey had three hits total in the game, and pitchers Paul Snieder and Matt Gailey sealed the win.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
Women’s lacrosse continues to be Northwestern’s signature program. Coming into the week, the team was undefeated and kept that streak alive with two more victories, both against ranked opponents. The women defeated No. 15 Penn State on Friday by a score of 14-5 before emerging victorious in a game of offensive streaks against No. 8 Penn on Sunday. The 14-10 victory against the Nittany Lions was highlighted by Ali Cassera’s season-high three goals, including two in three minutes. The team continues to be ranked No. 2 overall.
WOMEN’S GOLF
Northwestern finished the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate tied for fifth with No. 28 Colorado Tuesday after a strong 6-over 294. Sophomore Lauren Weaver shot a 3-under 69 in the first round, and finished tied for fourth place with a 6-over 222. The finish marks Weaver’s fifth top 10 placing of the season. In addition, junior Alex Lederhausen shot an even-par 72 which allowed her to jump 17 places in the standings and finish tied for 26th place. Her sister Rebecca, a senior, finished 23rd.
TENNIS
The men’s tennis team split its two matches this week, besting Iowa 5-2 on Friday, but falling short of upsetting No. 15 Illinois 4-3 on Sunday. The women, on the other hand, beat both Iowa (6-1) and Illinois (5-2). The victory over Iowa was head coach Claire Pollard’s 300th victory in 13 years with the Wildcats. The women’s team is ranked No. 16 and is undefeated in Big Ten play with a record of 6-0.