TicketsCINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati lacrosse team finished one goal shy of a single-game record, and forced a second-half shutout, with a 24-9 win over Robert Morris on Friday afternoon.
UC's previous-best was a 25-8 win over Kent State on March 8, 2020, the final contest before COVID. This also matches the team's best start in school history.
Cincinnati rattled off five-straight goals after Robert Morris struck first, including Grace Jenny's first at UC.
RMU scored twice to start the second quarter and pull within 8-6. The Bearcats regained momentum when Ava Goeller scooped a turnover deep in RMU territory and fed it to Grace Wehland, who took it the rest of the way for a goal and 9-6 lead. Wehland's fourth goal was a free-position shot with 2:52 left in the half, and the teams exchanged two goals apiece as Cincinnati entered the break up 16-9.
"We talk about consistency, and we struggled a little early on with the draw," head coach Gina Thomas said. "Our team is figuring it out right now, and they're clicking on all cylinders when we've needed them to. Huge tribute to Haley Hardy (assistant coach and defensive coordinator) for a lot of caused turnovers that have given our team a chance and given our attackers chances with the ball."
Nine different Bearcats scored, led by Camryn Callaghan and Lauren Ottensmeyer's five goals. Both have collected hat tricks in each match this season. Elizabeth Murphy and Grace Wehland each scored three and four times, respectively. On the defensive end, only one of Robert Morris' 14 shots on goal came in the second half. Lindsey Durkota scored late for her first goal since 2021 after missing last season due to injury.
Cincinnati now hosts Marquette on Sunday at noon.
UC's previous-best was a 25-8 win over Kent State on March 8, 2020, the final contest before COVID. This also matches the team's best start in school history.
Cincinnati rattled off five-straight goals after Robert Morris struck first, including Grace Jenny's first at UC.
RMU scored twice to start the second quarter and pull within 8-6. The Bearcats regained momentum when Ava Goeller scooped a turnover deep in RMU territory and fed it to Grace Wehland, who took it the rest of the way for a goal and 9-6 lead. Wehland's fourth goal was a free-position shot with 2:52 left in the half, and the teams exchanged two goals apiece as Cincinnati entered the break up 16-9.
"We talk about consistency, and we struggled a little early on with the draw," head coach Gina Thomas said. "Our team is figuring it out right now, and they're clicking on all cylinders when we've needed them to. Huge tribute to Haley Hardy (assistant coach and defensive coordinator) for a lot of caused turnovers that have given our team a chance and given our attackers chances with the ball."
Nine different Bearcats scored, led by Camryn Callaghan and Lauren Ottensmeyer's five goals. Both have collected hat tricks in each match this season. Elizabeth Murphy and Grace Wehland each scored three and four times, respectively. On the defensive end, only one of Robert Morris' 14 shots on goal came in the second half. Lindsey Durkota scored late for her first goal since 2021 after missing last season due to injury.
Cincinnati now hosts Marquette on Sunday at noon.
Talking offense and defense with @GinaThomasUC!
— Cincinnati Lacrosse (@GoBearcatsLAX) February 17, 2023
24 goals AND a second-half shutout. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/11PKIJ65Vd