Connor Allen, Staff Writer
Women’s Lacrosse has an opportunity to make a statement in conference play this season.
Already 1-0 in the CCIW, the first-year program hopes to continue winning in their last five games. This won’t be an easy task however because the CCIW is a very challenging conference. Overall, the team is 6-5 this season, having fought through their fair share of high and low points.
Coming into this season the team had very high expectations despite being a first year program. “It’s really all about structuring the team in this first year. We owe much of our success to each other and our newer players deciding to choose lacrosse,” sophomore captain Maggie Krause said.
These successes include blowout wins against Cornell College (11-3), Benedictine University (18-6), Wartburg College (13-0), Illinois Institute of Technology (15-5) and Carroll College (18-5). Many of these goals have come from Krause and Lauren Pavich who have 31 and 25 goals this season.
Still, the Titans haven’t just relied on Krause and Pavich when it comes to scoring. Junior Maisie Cox and first-year Abby Kushina both have 17 goals on the season while first-year Clarke Rich has 16. Having many contributors in the goal department has helped the Titans to their six victories.
Home field advantage has been a factor this year as the Titans have gone 4-0 when playing at Tucci Stadium. Many of the players have also taken notice to the amount of fans they receive and the effect it has had.
“I think people are excited to support a brand new program and are intrigued to watch a new sport!” Krause said.
The Titans hope to draw a big crowd for these upcoming conference games as three of the last five games will be at home.
Looking ahead to the CCIW games coming up, the Titans will soon square off against the Vikings. Augustana College is a second-year program that seems to have established themselves as a powerhouse, going 9-1 so far this season.
“I’m most looking forward to playing Augustana, especially since it’s a home game. They are a big conference rival of ours and will definitely be tough competition,” first-year goalkeeper Claire Quist said.
The Titans will play Augustana College at home on Wednesday, April 15. Another challenging upcoming opponent is North Central College. They have gone 7-1 so far this season and are “very tough” according to Quist.
The Titans play North Central at home on Saturday, April 18. Each and every game is a chance for the Titans to make history as they make their first run in the CCIW.