MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- On a day in which the temperatures were below freezing, the fifth-ranked Northwestern lacrosse program got hot at the right time to get back on track and earn a victory at Marquette, 13-6.
Freshman Selena Lasota once again led the Wildcats (3-1) offensively, improving on her five-goal performance earlier this week with a season-best six goals in the win. Lasota recorded a hat trick in each half and now has 17 goals in the first four games of her career.
As impressive as Lasota's play was offensively, it was her presence in the midfield that helped propel the 'Cats. The freshman finished with six caused turnovers, tying second-best mark in a single game in program history.
In total, the Wildcats caused a season-high 15 turnovers against the Golden Eagles (0-3). Juniors Nancy Dunbar and Emily Eichner each had a two apiece.
An improved draw control helped stablize the 'Cats attack as they finished with a 12-9 advantage. Sophomore Sheila Nesselbush had a career-high seven to lead the way and freshman Shelby Fredericks finished with three.
Junior Kaleigh Craig, fresh off a four-goal performance against Duke, opened the scoring for the Wildcats just 1:33 into the game on a feed from Fredericks. After a tally by Nicole Gleason evened things up, Lasota sparked a 4-0 run by the Wildcats to build a 5-1 advantage.
Senior Kara Mupo followed with an 8-meter goal and Lasota scored back-to-back goals, one by fighting through a double team and the other from eight meters, to build the cushion at the 22:10 mark.
A tally by Emily Donovan pulled the Golden Eagles within 5-2 with 20:59 left, but neither team was able to score over the last 21 minutes as they each struggled with turnovers. The two teams combined for for 23 turnovers in the first half.
The Wildcats came out of the break with a renewed focus and opened the half on a 5-0 run to build their lead to 10-2. Senior Blake McHugh opened the second-half scoring on a feed from sophomore Catie Ingrilli and Fredericks found the back of the cage on a feed from Craig at the 27:22 mark.
McHugh scored her second goal of the afternoon just 1:35 later and Lasota beat her defender 1-on-1 on the attack for her fourth goal of the game.
A caused turnover and ground ball by Lasota in the Wildcats' offensive end gave her a 1-on-1 opportunity with the keeper for her fifth goal and again the freshman found herself in the open field at the 21:48 mark for her final tally of the game to build the lead to 11-3.
Fredericks scored her second goal of the day on a highlight-reel behind-the-head shot with 19:54 remaining to extend the lead to 12-3 and after a pair of goals by the Golden Eagles, classmate Nicole Beardsley scored her first career goal with 1:35 left to close the scoring for the 'Cats.
Senior Bridget Bianco earned the win in the cage with a pair of stops in 40 minutes of play and senior Brooke Jones made a save in her season debut playing the final 20 minutes.
The Wildcats will be back in action when they travel to No. 2 North Carolina next Saturday. The opening draw is scheduled for 11 a.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
