TicketsINDIANAPOLIS -- The Cincinnati lacrosse team rode an 8-2, first-quarter lead to a 16-11 victory over host Butler on a cold Friday afternoon.
The Bearcats have now won four of their last five road games, and the eight goals in the opening quarter tied a season-high. The 16 goals were also one off a season-high set against Kent State and Akron on March 4 and 6.
"I think we came out of the gates really strong," head coach Gina Thomas said. "We had a couple of turnovers that gave them momentum. Our game is a game of runs, and in the second and third quarter, Butler wanted to win it more. They were beating us on ground balls and draw controls, and I told our team we needed to finish the game and we were more competetive from there on. We took care of the ball and got the saves when we needed to and came away with the win."
Kylie Nause matched her career-high with six goals (previously last Friday against Central Michigan), and she entered the day seventh nationally in scoring and now has 44 on the year. Ava Goeller continued her fantastic sophomore campaign with her sixth-straight hat trick, eighth overall, and four assists that marked a team season-high.
The Bearcats also notched their highest shot percentage of the season (55.2), as their 16 goals came on 29 shots. Kylie Gioia (2), Morgan Bates (2), Alyssa Adams and Grace Wehland also reached the scoring column.
Butler scored four-straight goals to get within 8-6 at the second quarter's midway point. The Bulldogs got within 11-10 exactly 15 minutes later, but Kylie Nause's three-straight goals carried UC to a 14-10 lead in the final stanza.
Cincinnati hits the road again for a 12 p.m. Sunday contest at Robert Morris.
The Bearcats have now won four of their last five road games, and the eight goals in the opening quarter tied a season-high. The 16 goals were also one off a season-high set against Kent State and Akron on March 4 and 6.
"I think we came out of the gates really strong," head coach Gina Thomas said. "We had a couple of turnovers that gave them momentum. Our game is a game of runs, and in the second and third quarter, Butler wanted to win it more. They were beating us on ground balls and draw controls, and I told our team we needed to finish the game and we were more competetive from there on. We took care of the ball and got the saves when we needed to and came away with the win."
Kylie Nause matched her career-high with six goals (previously last Friday against Central Michigan), and she entered the day seventh nationally in scoring and now has 44 on the year. Ava Goeller continued her fantastic sophomore campaign with her sixth-straight hat trick, eighth overall, and four assists that marked a team season-high.
The Bearcats also notched their highest shot percentage of the season (55.2), as their 16 goals came on 29 shots. Kylie Gioia (2), Morgan Bates (2), Alyssa Adams and Grace Wehland also reached the scoring column.
Butler scored four-straight goals to get within 8-6 at the second quarter's midway point. The Bulldogs got within 11-10 exactly 15 minutes later, but Kylie Nause's three-straight goals carried UC to a 14-10 lead in the final stanza.
Cincinnati hits the road again for a 12 p.m. Sunday contest at Robert Morris.
Postgame thoughts from Coach Thomas on today's win! pic.twitter.com/aKmdKjQZCA
— Cincinnati Lacrosse (@GoBearcatsLAX) March 25, 2022