BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A spirited comeback effort by Illinois Tech women's lacrosse in their season-opener at Illinois Wesleyan fell just short, as the Scarlet Hawks couldn't withstand the Titans' five-goal surge in the fourth quarter, falling to the Titans 15-12. Illinois Tech's record now stands at 0-1, while Illinois Wesleyan begins their season 1-0.
Antonia Martinez led the charge for the Scarlet Hawks with 5 goals and 3 assists, while first-year
Jenny Park started her collegiate career with a 4-goal effort.
How It Happened
The showdown kicked off with Illinois Tech's
Jenny Park striking first at 13:01, setting the pace for an early lead.
Antonia Martinez followed up with a goal at 11:09, extending the Hawks' advantage. However, Illinois Wesleyan countered with Anelise DiGiovanni scoring a man-up goal at 5:41, and then again at 4:56 to even the score. Sadie Newton, assisted by DiGiovanni, nudged the Titans ahead at 3:22. Yet the Hawks weren't done; Martinez found the net again at 2:03, thanks to
Isabelle Niebler's assist, tying things up at 3-3 as the quarter closed.
In the second quarter, the Titans' Sadie Newton, assisted by Sarah Riepe, pushed her team ahead at 14:13. Illinois Tech's Martinez answered with a man-up goal at 8:37, momentarily leveling the field. Lillie Keeton and Sophie Shore added to Illinois Wesleyan's tally, with Shore capitalizing on a free position shot at 3:57. Illinois Tech's Niebler scored her first of the season, assisted by
Elise Wierzchon, at 5:32. Martinez's buzzer-beating goal with two seconds left cut the deficit to 8-6 by halftime.
The third quarter saw Lillie Keeton scoring early for the Titans at 13:55, assisted by Maddie Gibson.
Jenny Park fought back for Illinois Tech, netting two goals in the quarter, one unassisted and another assisted by Martinez, along with a man-up goal at 2:08, bringing the score to a tight 10-9. A free position goal from Sarah Riepe kept the Titans ahead as the quarter ended with them leading 10-9.
Illinois Wesleyan opened the fourth with a goal from Sarah Riepe at 14:19. The Scarlet Hawks responded swiftly with Wierzchon scoring a man-up goal at 11:27, assisted by Martinez, who quickly followed with another goal. Despite the rally, the Titans pressed on with Keeton scoring twice and DiGiovanni adding another. Newton's free position goal at 5:23 sealed the deal for Illinois Wesleyan. Niebler's goal at 2:18 was a last push for Illinois Tech, but the game concluded with a 15-12 victory for the Titans.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Isabelle Niebler
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- 2 goals
- 1 assist
- 4 shots
Jenny Park
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- 4 goals
- 7 shots
- 5 shots on goal
Antonia Martinez
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- 5 goals
- 3 assists
- 11 shots
- 10 shots on goal
Illinois Wesleyan Top Performers
Maddie Gibson
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- 1 goal
- 2 assists
- 2 shots on goal
Anelise DiGiovanni
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- 3 goals
- 3 assists
- 4 shots on goal
- 1 game-winning goal
Sadie Newton
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- 3 goals
- 4 shots on goal
- 1 free position goal
Lillie Keeton
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- 5 goals
- 7 shots on goal
Game Notes:
- Illinois Tech is now 0-4 in their all-time series with Illinois Wesleyan.
Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks return to action against Saint Mary's College (IN) on Tuesday, February 24th at 5 p.m. in their home opener at Stuart Field in Chicago, Illinois.
