LeeAnn
2
Madonna MADONNA 2-3, 0-0
5
Winner Bethel (IN) BETHEL ( 1-1, 0-0
Madonna MADONNA
2-3, 0-0
2
Final
5
Bethel (IN) BETHEL (
1-1, 0-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Madonna MADONNA 0 0 1 1 2
Bethel (IN) BETHEL ( 0 2 1 2 5

Game Recap: Women's Lacrosse |

Crusaders Fall at Bethel Despite Late Push

MISHAWAKA, IN – A decisive fourth-quarter surge from Bethel (IN) proved to be the difference as Madonna University fell 5-2 in women's lacrosse on Saturday afternoon at Morey Field in Mishawaka, Indiana. The Crusaders pulled within one early in the third quarter, but a short-handed strike and a power-play goal from the Pilots in the final frame put the game out of reach.
Bethel broke open a scoreless game in the second quarter behind a pair of goals from Pj Pearson. Pearson first converted on the power play at 10:02 of the second to give the Pilots a 1-0 lead, then added an even-strength tally at 8:00 to send Madonna into halftime trailing 2-0. The Crusaders' defense and goalkeeping kept the contest within reach, limiting Bethel to two goals on 13 shots on goal through the opening half.
Madonna generated its first breakthrough midway through the third quarter. With 3:16 on the clock, Nya Caldwell capitalized on a free-position opportunity, finishing her lone shot of the day to trim the deficit to 2-1. The goal capped a stretch in which the Crusaders began to find more consistency in the offensive zone, eventually finishing with 16 shots and 12 shots on goal.
Bethel responded late in the third quarter when Mackenzie Holland scored to restore a two-goal cushion at 3-1. The Pilots then seized control in the fourth with special-teams play. Kelsee Smit struck for a short-handed goal to extend the advantage to 4-1, then followed just over a minute later with a power-play marker at 4:56 for a 5-1 lead. Smit finished with two goals on three shots, while Pearson also netted two goals to pace the Bethel attack.The Crusaders continued to compete until the final horn. Danielle Turner closed the scoring with an even-strength goal as time expired in the fourth quarter, bringing the final to 5-2. Turner was efficient offensively with one goal on one shot and added two ground balls, while Caldwell also finished with one goal on one shot. Madonna's offense produced 16 total shots to Bethel's 17 and generated three free-position attempts in the contest.
Statistically, the matchup remained tight across several categories. Madonna recorded 12 shots on goal to Bethel's 13 and collected 15 ground balls, while the Pilots finished with 20. The Crusaders posted eight saves in net against Bethel's 10 and were narrowly edged on the draw, 5-4. Special teams proved pivotal, as Bethel converted two power-play chances, while Madonna was unable to score with the extra player despite extended time in the offensive zone.
The game featured a physical edge throughout, with both teams assessed multiple cards. Madonna was charged with three yellow cards and six green cards, accounting for 720 seconds of penalties, while Bethel received three yellow cards and 10 green cards totaling 960 seconds. Official Alexis Wildrick oversaw a contest that included significant special-teams play, ultimately tilting in favor of Bethel as the Crusaders' late push, highlighted by Turner's buzzer-beater, came too late to change the outcome.
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