Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, March 23
Ann Arbor, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Northwestern
10
at
8
Michigan
No. 14 Wildcats Open Big Ten Play with Win at Michigan, 10-8
3/23/2017 7:07:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Senior Danita Stroup and freshman Meghan Duffy each scored a hat trick and the Northwestern defense stymied the Michigan attack when it needed to the most as the Wildcats opened Big Ten play with a victory over the Wolverines, 10-8.
Stroup matched her career high with three goals for the third straight game, while Duffy recorded her first career hat trick. The freshman has scored in each of the last three games, tallying five goals during the stretch.
The Wildcats took control in the second half when juniors Sheila Nesselbush and Shelby Fredericks scored back-to-back goals to break a 3-3 tie. Nesselbushed need just 1:42 to put the 'Cats in front, 4-3. Fredericks then extended the lead by faking out everyone in the stadium as she drove from the right side of the fan and faked a behind-the-back shot that froze the defender and goalkeeper before finding the back of the cage.
Michigan sandwiched a pair of goals around Duffy's second score of the game to cut the lead to one, but Stroup scored back-to-back goals to give Northwestern its largest lead of the game, 8-5. Senior Christina Esposito assisted on the first of Stroup's back-to-back tallies, extending her career-long point streak to 25 games.
The Wolverines refused to go away quietly however, again cutting the Wildcats' lead to one on a goal by Anna Schueler. Esposito came up big in the clutch, much like she has all season, scoring her team-leading 25th goal of the year with 5:53 to play to extend the lead to 10-8.
Chicago's Big Ten Team locked in on defense over the last five-plus minutes, limiting the Wolverines to just a pair of goals and forcing a shot-clock violation with under 90 seconds to go to preserve the game.
In addition to the big performances by Stroup and Duffy, Nesselbush scored two goals for the second-straight game and senior Catie Ingrilli matched her career-high with a pair of assists. The Wildcats matched their season high with six assists totals, including the first career assists by freshman Sara Szynal and junior defender Ally Mueller. Freshman Lindsey McKone also had a helper.
Fredericks led the 'Cats with a game-high nine draw controls and Nesselbush matched her career high with a game-high four ground balls.
Northwestern will return home to Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium on Sunday, March 26 for the start of a three-game homestand. The Wildcats will play host to Louisville on Sunday with the opening draw scheduled for noon.
Stroup matched her career high with three goals for the third straight game, while Duffy recorded her first career hat trick. The freshman has scored in each of the last three games, tallying five goals during the stretch.
The Wildcats took control in the second half when juniors Sheila Nesselbush and Shelby Fredericks scored back-to-back goals to break a 3-3 tie. Nesselbushed need just 1:42 to put the 'Cats in front, 4-3. Fredericks then extended the lead by faking out everyone in the stadium as she drove from the right side of the fan and faked a behind-the-back shot that froze the defender and goalkeeper before finding the back of the cage.
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— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) March 23, 2017
You have to see it to believe it. Fredericks faked out everyone in the Big House. #SCTop10 #B1GCats https://t.co/Wl3kq3K0AW
Michigan sandwiched a pair of goals around Duffy's second score of the game to cut the lead to one, but Stroup scored back-to-back goals to give Northwestern its largest lead of the game, 8-5. Senior Christina Esposito assisted on the first of Stroup's back-to-back tallies, extending her career-long point streak to 25 games.
The Wolverines refused to go away quietly however, again cutting the Wildcats' lead to one on a goal by Anna Schueler. Esposito came up big in the clutch, much like she has all season, scoring her team-leading 25th goal of the year with 5:53 to play to extend the lead to 10-8.
Chicago's Big Ten Team locked in on defense over the last five-plus minutes, limiting the Wolverines to just a pair of goals and forcing a shot-clock violation with under 90 seconds to go to preserve the game.
In addition to the big performances by Stroup and Duffy, Nesselbush scored two goals for the second-straight game and senior Catie Ingrilli matched her career-high with a pair of assists. The Wildcats matched their season high with six assists totals, including the first career assists by freshman Sara Szynal and junior defender Ally Mueller. Freshman Lindsey McKone also had a helper.
Fredericks led the 'Cats with a game-high nine draw controls and Nesselbush matched her career high with a game-high four ground balls.
Northwestern will return home to Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium on Sunday, March 26 for the start of a three-game homestand. The Wildcats will play host to Louisville on Sunday with the opening draw scheduled for noon.
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