NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team came up on the short end of a 15-2 final against Carroll (Wis.) on Sunday afternoon.

 

The visiting Pioneers scored an early goal and added a second with 12:46 on the clock for a 2-0 advantage. The two sides battled back and forth at both ends over the next seven minutes as Emma Zmudzinski came up with a pair of saves to keep the score tight. A transition chance for Carroll yielded a goal with under six minutes to play in the quarter, and the Pioneers won the next draw and scored again for a 4-0 lead. Valentina Rubio saw a free position shot ricochet off of the pipe with under four minutes to play in the period, and Carroll scored a minute-and-a-half later for a 5-0 advantage through the end of the first quarter.

 

The Pioneers put two quick goals on the scoreboard to extend the lead to seven. Christiana Singler and Molly Mullett each had a chance saved over the next two minutes of action as the Belles continued to work for their first goal. Carroll put up another goal to make it 8-0. Alyssa Grant had a shot on goal stopped, but Emma Zmudzinski countered with two saves. Molly Mullett then worked her way through the critical scoring area and a slew of defenders to put away the Belles' first goal of the game with 2:22 on the clock. The Pioneers, however, won the ensuing draw and quickly scored for a 9-1 lead at the half.

 

Carroll opened the first five minutes of the third quarter with three goals to build a 12-1 lead. With under seven minutes to go, Christiana Singler used good positioning to get a ground ball before racing up the field and scoring to make it a 12-2 game. Mila Swiacki made a save, but the Pioneers' goalie countered with a save to keep the ten-goal difference. Carroll then added a goal with under three minutes to go in the period for a 13-2 advantage. 

 

The Pioneers went on to add two goals in the fourth quarter. Valentina Rubio, Lindsey Herdsman, and Christiana Singler each put a shot on goal, but saves kept Saint Mary's from chipping away at the deficit late in a 15-2 final.

 

Molly Mullett had a goal and added nine ground balls with three caused turnovers and two draw controls. Christiana Singler posted a goal, four ground balls, a draw control, and a caused turnover. Valentina Rubio had six ground balls, three caused turnovers, and two draw controls. Alyssa Grant chipped in five ground balls with two caused turnovers. Reese Bauer added three ground balls and Kate King picked up two ground balls. 

 

The Belles (5-4) are back home on Tuesday when they host North Central at 6:00 p.m.