NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team fell short in a 20-6 final against Wooster on Wednesday evening.

 

The Fighting Scots got on the scoreboard first and added two more goals to take a 3-0 lead through the opening six minutes of action. The Belles got on the scoreboard after Lana Skibins threaded a pass to Reese Bauer in front of goal as Bauer buried the chance with 7:34 on the clock. Wooster countered with back-to-back goals over the next three-plus minutes of play. Saint Mary's capitalized on a player-up opportunity as Alyssa Grant connected with Bauer for the senior's second goal of the contest. The Fighting Scots, however, posted a pair of late goals in the quarter to hold a 7-2 advantage through the first period of play.

 

Wooster used the advantage in draw controls over the second period to post eight goals and build a 15-2 advantage with under three minutes to go in the quarter. Reese Bauer won the ensuing draw control as Saint Mary's worked to build some momentum. A lost possession by the home side led to a strong re-defend as the Belles forced the Fighting Scots into a failed clear. Kathryn Kalinowski registered a caused turnover and a ground ball, and Valentina Rubio cut through the defense and found the back of the net with 23 seconds on the clock to give the Belles a boost heading into halftime. 

 

Julia Gorski put away a goal in the third quarter as the Belles scored in transition with 8:53 to go in the period to make it an 18-4 score. Emma Zmudzinski posted three saves over the final seven minutes of the quarter to keep the game at that same margin. In the fourth period, Rachel Speckhard worked through the defense and put away her first collegiate goal with just under 13 minutes on the clock. Reese Bauer made it back-to-back goals for Saint Mary's as the senior completed the hat trick while Kathryn Kalinowski collected an assist on the play. The Saint Mary's side continued to battle at both ends down the stretch, and Zmudzinski added four more saves to her total in the game. A late goal by Wooster pushed the score to its final margin of 20-6.

 

Reese Bauer posted a season-high three goals on three shots and added a draw control. Valentina Rubio had a goal, two ground balls, a draw control, and a caused turnover. Julia Gorski notched a goal, and Rachel Speckhard scored the first goal of her collegiate career while also posting a draw control. Lana Skibins, Alyssa Grant, and Kathryn Kalinowski each tallied an assist. Kalinowski also had two ground balls and a caused turnover. Christiana Singler came away with two draw controls and a caused turnover for the Belles. Emma Zmudzinski posted nine saves in goal and had two ground balls in the game.

 

The Belles (1-5) are back on their home field again on Saturday when they host Lake Forest at 2:00 p.m.