NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team never trailed and fended off multiple comeback efforts by the host Cardinals in a 22-15 win at North Central on Wednesday evening.

 

Lindsey Herdsman broke through into the scoring column for the first time in her career as the senior out-ran the final defender for a breakaway goal less than a minute into the contest. The teams traded goals back-and-forth over much of the first quarter of play with Bridget Kane, Julia Gorski, and Katie Haas all finding the back of the net to keep the Cardinals from ever taking the lead. Haas's first goal - which came with 5:33 to play in the opening period - kick-started a 6-0 scoring spurt by Saint Mary's over the remainder of the quarter. Christiana Singler, Gabby Belsito, Shannon McCloskey, Kane, and Haas each had a goal over the final four-plus minutes of play as the Belles built a 9-3 lead through 15 minutes of action.

 

The host Cardinals opened the second quarter with three consecutive goals to cut the Belles' lead to three at 9-6. Erin Dotson registered back-to-back goals over a two-minute span for an 11-6 advantage. Holding an 11-7 lead with under two minutes on the clock, Haas had a pair of goals split by another Dotson strike as Saint Mary's expanded the lead to 14-7. North Central, however, built some momentum with a last-second goal to make it 14-8 at the break.

 

Christiana Singler put the Belles back in the scoring column early in the third only to see the home side rattle off three goals in a row to cut the lead to four at 15-11 with four minutes on the clock. Saint Mary's dug in and found the response yet again with two goals by Kane, another Haas goal, and a Belsito goal to quickly regain the momentum and a sizable lead at 19-11.

 

The Cardinals made one more attempt at a comeback with a late goal in the third and two goals early in the fourth quarter. Shannon McCloskey buried a goal on a player-up opportunity for a 20-14 lead midway through the period. North Central got another goal to make it a five-goal differential, but the Belles closed out the win in decisive fashion with back-to-back Katie Haas goals for the 22-15 road victory. 

 

Lindsey Herdsman tallied her first career goal and point to open the scoring on the night. Katie Haas registered career-highs of seven goals, eight points, and 13 ground balls. The 13 ground balls also establishes a new program record in the category. Bridget Kane matched her career-high output with eight points after notching four goals and four assists as the senior also tied a career-best mark for ground balls on the night with 11. Gabby Belsito posted six points with two goals and four assists, and Erin Dotson had a hat trick with three goals and a career-high eight ground balls. Christiana Singler added three goals and an assist, and Shannon McCloskey scored a pair of goals. Valentina Rubio registered an assist.

 

Alexis Fady made three saves in goal over the opening 49:57 of action before Emma Zmudzinski closed out the final 10:03 of play in goal.

 

The Belles (2-0) have their home opener on Saturday when they host Carthage at 3:00 p.m.