LIVONIA, Mich. - Following their heartbreaking loss to Concordia University on Senior Day, the Madonna University Crusaders (3-9, 2-5) returned to the MU Soccer and Lacrosse field for one last regular season home game against the Rochester University Warriors (0-7, 0-7). Facing a Rochester team that has struggled all year long, the Crusaders came out with a dominant 19-3 victory over the Warriors. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Crusaders came out hot against the Warriors. Exactly thirty seconds into the game, captain Mia Dyson scored the game's first goal as she dodged past the Warriors' defense. Before the end of the first minute of play, the Keiser University (Fla.) transfer would already have two scores, with the second coming from a long-distance shot launched following an assist from senior and fellow captain, Aria Gettel. It wasn't long before Gettel would get her own first goal of the day after a turnover forced by junior Jasmine Stringham. Less than three minutes into the game, Madonna already led 3-0.

Rochester finally got on the board immediately after, but the Crusaders struck right back. Sophomore Sydney Pattinson scored to counter it off of another assist from Gettel. Senior Courtney Hoeland would get on the board next, following up Pattinson's goal with a strike to the top-right corner of the net. The Crusaders then extended the lead even further after Gettel knocked down a free-position shot. 

Gettel would already get her third goal of the game before the end of the first period. With the shot clock ticking down, freshman Rianna O'Connor threw up a prayer to Gettel with exactly one second left on the clock. Using her incredible awareness, knowing there wasn't enough time to catch it and shoot, the veteran reached up her stick and slapped the ball into the net for a buzzer-beating score.

As the score continued to run up, the Crusaders decided to let their players have some fun and play out-of-position. Defenseman Maddie Percy started it off by scoring her first career goal after Coach Teskey put her at attack. The junior transfer from Notre Dame College has been a staple on defense all season for the Crusaders, starting all thirteen games, and now adds a goal to her impressive resume. Next was sophomore defenseman Paige Vitori, who scored her first goal of the season and second of her career. 

In the opening seconds of the second half, freshman defenseman Avery Bublitz grabbed the opening ground ball and took it all the way to the net for her first career goal. Appearing in all thirteen games for the Crusaders this season and starting in twelve of them.
The Crusaders let off the gas in the final period, continuing to play with great sportsmanship. However, they did add on three more goals, including a final goal with just under a minute left by sophomore Zoe Zdunczyk. With Zdunczyk's final strike, the Crusaders would seal the game with a 19-3 win over the Warriors. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 

• Gettel scored five goals and had three assists in her final home game at Madonna. 
• Hoeland scored four goals in her last home game as a Crusader.
• Dyson scored three goals.
• Stringham recorded three assists.
• Pattinson had one goal and two assists.
• 10 different Crusaders scored goals today

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will conclude their regular season with a trip down to Fort Wayne, Ind. as they are set to face the (RV) Indiana Tech Warriors (7-4, 4-3) at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 15th.

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