ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Shauna Miller had a hat trick, but the College of Saint Benedict lacrosse team (8-2) dropped an 18-5 nonconference decision to University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (11-4) on Monday (April 24) at the CSB Athletic Field.

 

For Miller, it was the third time this season she has had a hat trick (three goals) and now has 12 goals on the season. However, CSB trailed early and couldn't overcome a strong offensive outing by the visiting Eagles.

With the setback, CSB had an eight-game winning streak snapped. During the winning streak, the Bennies had a 114-to-55 goal differential. However, today, UW-La Crosse jumped to a 6-2 lead after the first quarter and led 11-to-4 at half-time. It was the first time since falling to UW-River Falls that CSB had trailed at the break. With a 4-0 advantage in the third quarter and 3-1 margin in the final quarter, the Eagles took the 18-5 decision.

UW-La Crosse had a big game from Lauren Schwartz who had six goals while Grace Willmott added three and both Olivia Wight and Olivia Gscheidmeier had two each.

Aside from the three goals by Miller, Grace Fitzgibbons, and Sami Hackley both had a goal. Fitzgibbons also had an assist as she now has 21 goals and seven assists for 28 points for second on the Bennies. Sami Hackley, who was named CSB's first-ever Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference Offensive Player of the Week earlier on April 24, had her 24^th goal and a team-best 33^rd point.

The numbers favored UW-La Crosse, who had a 45-to-23 shots edge, including 24-to-14 in the first half and 20-to-9 in the second half. The Eagles also had a 22-to-17 margin in ground balls and were successful on 21-of-22 clears. The Bennies had an edge in draw controls, 12-to-10. In goal, Chloe Miller had 14 saves among the 45 shots by the Eagles.

Now, the Bennies, who lead the MWLC with a 5-0 record, will travel to face Monmouth on Wednesday (April 26) before concluding the regular season at home against Augsburg. Then, CSB will be part of the MWLC Postseason Tourney on May 3, 6.