LIVONIA, Mich. - Coming off of their first win of the season, the Madonna Crusaders (1-3) hoped to continue their win streak as they faced the Tiffin University Dragons (3-4) from the NCAA Division II GMAC Conference. In what turned out to be a scrappy fight to the end, the Dragons would escape with the win over the Crusaders, as Madonna fell 16-11.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Tiffin jumped ahead to an early lead, going on a 4-0 run out the gate as the Crusaders attempted to regroup. Striking first for the Crusaders would be freshman midfielder LeeAnn Johnson, who scored her first career goal off of a free position shot that put Madonna on the board. The Dragons would score twice more before Aria Gettel would get her chance at an eight meter. Gettel drilled it through the net effortlessly for her first goal of the afternoon.

As the first period began winding down, Madonna found themselves in a woman-up situation, and would take advantage. Mia Dyson dodged her way through the Dragon's weakened defense for the score, cutting their lead to three. After Tiffin stole a goal of their own, Gettel took control, weaving her way through the Dragon's defense like it was nothing, and firing a shot into the net with less than one second left in the first period. The Crusaders found themselves down 7-4 after one.

Dyson would score the first points of the second quarter off of an eight meter shot, as the Crusaders fought to cut the lead. Just as things seemed to be going Madonna's way, the Dragons took over the game, going on a 5-0 run as they dominated the Crusaders on draw controls, winning six-of-seven in the second quarter. The Dragons' run continued after halftime, as they jumped ahead 15-5 just five minutes into the third period.

Courtney Hoeland would cut their run short as the third period neared its end off of a free position shot. Before the buzzer hit, Hoeland slung the ball to Lilly McKee for the score as the Crusaders battled back. 

To kick off the fourth and final period, Gettel would set up Johnson for her second goal of the game with a nice assist. The Dragons would fire back with a goal of their own, but the Crusaders hadn't given up yet. Madonna took advantage of another woman-up situation as Jasmine Stringham snuck in a goal to make it a 16-9 game.

Hoeland would grab her second goal of the day off an assist from McKee to make it a six-point game with five minutes to play. Not out of it yet, the Crusaders continued to battle until the final buzzer as Gettel dodged her way to her third score of the game. It wouldn't be enough to overcome the Dragons in the end, as the clock would run out on the Crusaders' comeback. The final score: 16-11 Tiffin.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 

• Gettel shot 50%, scoring three goals and recording one assist. In addition, she grabbed five ground balls, and caused three turnovers.
• Johnson shot 67%, scoring two goals.
• Hoeland also scored two goals and recorded one assist.
• Dyson led the team with six ground ball pickups and scored two goals.
• Maddie Percy led the team with four caused turnovers, and grabbed five ground balls 

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will kick off conference play against Marian University (Ind.) at home this Saturday, March 18th at 10:00 am.

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