SYLVANIA, Ohio - Coming off their blowout win over the Saints of Siena Heights, the Madonna University Crusaders (2-7, 1-3) hope to bring that same energy and continue their conference win streak as they take on the Lourdes University Gray Wolves (3-3, 1-3). Although Madonna seemed to be running away with the game early, Lourdes mounted a late-game comeback, nearly catching them in the final minutes of play. Narrowly escaping with the 14-13 win, the Crusaders secured their second-straight Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference victory as they moved up to 2-3 in conference play and are now ranked sixth in the conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Crusaders opened up the game with a quick strike from junior captain Mia Dyson, off an assist from senior Courtney Hoeland to set the tone early. Following a clutch save by goalie Hannah Dickson off of a Gray Wolves' free position shot, freshman LeeAnn Johnson hit fellow freshman Rianna O'Connor who was streaking down the field with nobody on her. As Lourdes' goalie stepped out of the crease to pick her up, O'Connor dodged past her for the nearly-free goal.

After winning her third straight draw control of the game, junior Jasmine Stringham slung the ball downfield to Dyson, who slapped it in for her second goal of the game. With the Crusaders taking an early 3-0 lead in the first period, the Gray Wolves were forced to call a timeout to regroup.

With five seconds remaining in the first period, Hoeland would get her second assist of the day already as she hit fellow senior Aria Gettel cutting across the middle. With a low shot going right past the goalie, the Crusaders jumped ahead to a 4-0 lead after one period.

After Lourdes got on the board early in the second period, Johnson got her own goal off of an assist from junior Lilly McKee. Johnson cut right by the Gray Wolves defenders for a wide-open goal as McKee captured the goalie's attention. Lourdes fought their way back though, keeping it close at 5-3.

After calling a timeout to regroup, Stringham was swarmed by a hoard of Gray Wolves as she was shooting, earning herself a free position shot. Stringham knocked it down for her fourth goal of the season. In a similar situation a minute later, Dyson scored a free-position shot of her own, already scoring her third goal of the first half.

Gettel would get on the board for the second time in the first half with just under three minutes remaining. As a group of Lourdes defenders fumbled for a loose ball just outside their net, Gettel would scoop it up and steal her 30th goal of the season before they knew what hit them. Immediately following her up was Dyson who scored her fourth goal of the first half less than thirty seconds later as sophomore Katie Potter hit her with a perfect assist. Lourdes would score once more before halftime to keep it interesting as Madonna led 9-4 at the break.

Coming out of the break, the Crusaders would get their score to double-digits as Dyson hit Gettel with a pass as Gettel cut to the net, scoring her third goal of the game. Madonna extended their lead to 10-4. Dyson would go right back and hit Gettel again for the Crusaders' next goal, making it an 11-4 game. The Gray Wolves battled back in the latter half of the third period, cutting the Crusaders' lead to 11-7 going into the final period. 

Stringham would get the Crusaders back to a five point lead early in the fourth period with another free-position shot that she knocked down for her second goal of the game. After two Gray Wolves' goals, McKee gave the Crusaders a bit of breathing room with a free-position goal with just under ten minutes to play. Johnson followed her up with her second goal of the day thanks to an assist by Gettel. Johnson was able to sneak right behind the Gray Wolves' goalie for the second time today for the easy score to make it a 14-9 game with just over eight minutes to play.

As Lourdes began to come back in the final minutes, Johnson's second goal would be the Crusaders' winning margin. They narrowly escaped with a 14-13 victory, securing their second straight win and moving up to 2-3 and sixth place in the WHAC.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 

• Dyson scored four goals and recorded three assists. She also grabbed three ground balls.
• Gettel also scored four goals and had one assist.
• Stringham and Johnson both scored two goals.
• McKee had one goal and one assist.
• Hoeland recorded two assists.
• Dickson had nine saves.

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will return to Michigan as they prepare to face their cross-town rivals: the #3 Lawrence Tech University Blue Devils (8-1, 4-0). The opening draw is slated for 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 5th at Blue Devils Stadium.

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