NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team shouldered a 16-5 setback against Carthage on Saturday afternoon.

 

Carthage registered a pair of goals in the opening two minutes and added a third goal six minutes into play for a3-0 lead. The Belles battled to try to break into the scoring column. Julia Gorski had a shot rattle off the crossbar, and Valentina Rubio had a shot go just wide of the goal moments later. Rubio had another attempt go wide with just over six minutes on the clock. The Firebirds countered with a pair of quick goals before extending their lead to 6-0 with 1:25 to play in the opening period. Rubio got the Belles into the scoring column with a free position goal, but Carthage used two late goals to hold an 8-1 lead through 15 minutes of play. 

 

A potential goal early in the second quarter for the Belles was waived off after the stick check while Rubio had a close-range shot saved. Defense forced a turnover by the Firebirds, and the Belles blocked a shot a minute later. Julia Gorski had a shot go off the mark with nine minutes on the clock, and Kathryn Kalinowski had her effort saved on the extended possession as the Belles retained the ball on the chase. The Firebirds, however, posted back-to-back goals with under eight minutes on the clock to gain a 10-1 advantage. Saint Mary's continued to work hard to try to build a comeback effort with Emma Zmudzinski reeling in a save with three minutes on the clock. Carthage capitalized on a turnover with two minutes to go by scoring a goal before extending their advantage to 12-1 heading into halftime with a late goal.

 

Saint Mary's came out of the break ready to go, and Alyssa Grant struck early with a goal less than a minute into the period. After the Firebirds notched a pair of goals, Grant won the draw, and Kathryn Kalinwoski buried a free position chance with under seven minutes on the clock. Valentina Rubio won the next draw and earned a free position opportunity of her own but had her shot saved at the doorstep. The defense continued to work hard for the Belles at the other end with Zmudzinski adding another save and the collective defensive effort blocking a shot in the critical scoring area. A goal by Carthage with two minutes on the clock, however, made it a 15-3 difference going into the final period of play.

 

After an early goal by Carthage, much of the fourth quarter was tough back-and-forth play. The defense blocked another shot, and Emma Zmudzinski added two more saves in goal. Cate Krema had a shot saved, another tail high over the goal, and a third effort blocked. A strong re-defend with five minutes to go saw Valentina Rubio cause a turnover and collect the ground ball. The Belles pushed the ball in transition, and Lana Skibins fed Kathryn Kalinowski with a pass as Kalinowski put away the goal with just under four minutes to play. Another re-defend late resulted in a caused turnover and ground ball by Kalinwoski, and the freshman picked up an assist on a threaded pass into the critical scoring area as Rubio buried the chance to make the final score 16-5. 

 

Kathryn Kalinowski had two goals, an assist, two ground balls, and a caused turnover for the Belles. Valentina Rubio added two goals, four draw controls, three ground balls, and two caused turnovers. Alyssa Grant tallied a goal with three draw controls, and Lana Skibins registered an assist. Julia Gorski and Kelsey King each had a ground ball and a caused turnover. Emma Zmudzinski posted eight saves between the pipes for the Belles.

 

Saint Mary's (1-3) has a break from action until Wednesday, March 13 when they face Rhodes during the spring break week. The game will take place at Christopher Newport University and will start at 1:00 p.m.