(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's lacrosse returned home on Saturday afternoon, hosting the Pilots of Bethel College for a WHAC conference game. The Cardinals entered 5-1 overall on the year while Bethel came in 0-4. CUAA cruised to another double-digit win, defeating Bethel 17-2.
Kourtney Kraftchick (SO/Bedford, MI) led the offensive attack, recording a new career high with 5 goals. Greyson Papp (SO/South Bend, IN) had a hat trick in the game while tying for the team lead with 4 draw controls. Abbey Turner (JR/Grand Ledge, MI), Kimmy Thompson (SR/East Lansing, MI) and Madalyn Fields (FR/Waterford, MI) all recorded 2 goals apiece. Jennifer Miller (FR/South Lyon, MI) led the Cardinals with 6 ground balls and tied for the team high with 4 draw controls. Amanda Archer (SO/Brighton, MI) recorded 5 saves.
Concordia struck quickly as Cassandra Allard (FR/Oak Creek, WI) scored a goal just 26 seconds into the game. The Cardinals continued to keep the pressure in the Bethel zone, generating many shots on goal. CUAA finally wore down the Pilots as Kimmy Thompson scored a free position goal at the 14:07 mark to put her team up 2-0.
Madalyn Fields circled around the net and scored a goal, and Kourtney Kraftchick found the back of the net from close range. Kraftchick added a second goal and Greyson Papp scored just 12 seconds later as Concordia continued to pull away.
Abbey Turner forced a turnover on the Bethel goalie and scored in the open net to give CUAA a 7-0 lead. Kourtney Kraftchick completed her hat trick with 6:12 remaining in the 1st half. Kraftchick added another goal on a free position shot, and Taylor Nesbitt (FR/Chicago, IL) scored shorthanded on a free position goal with 15 seconds left. CUAA led 10-1 at halftime.
Kourtney Kraftchick continued her career day with her 5th goal of the game just over 2 minutes into the second half. Madalyn Fields recorded her second goal of the day, and Greyson Papp scored 2 goals in 20 seconds to finish her hat trick at the 19:15 mark.
Goalkeeper Amanda Archer remained alert in net, making 4 of her 5 saves in the 2nd half. Kayla Owsley (SR/Dexter, MI) continued the Cardinals' offensive onslaught as she quickly ran in front of the goal and shot the ball into the net.
Abbey Turner recorded her second goal of the game on a free position shot, and Kimmy Thompson scored a goal on the run to notch her second marker of the game. The Cardinals emerged victorious with a 17-2 win.
Concordia improves to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in WHAC conference play. The Cardinals will play their next game on Wednesday, March 27 when they travel to rival Siena Heights. The game is set to begin at 4pm.
