Belles Grind Out Win Over Thunder
Saint Mary's Stories
- Clare Theisen scored five goals, had a school-record 10 ground balls, and caused four turnovers.
- Kate Kelly added three goals, and Emilie Vanneste scored two goals with seven ground balls.
- Shannon Weyer made seven saves in the win.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team picked up their third consecutive conference win with a 10-4 decision over Trine on Tuesday evening.
The Belles were able to break through first. Molly Stout fed a pass into the critical scoring area to Clare Theisen, and the sophomore lit up the scoreboard for the 1-0 lead six and a half minutes into the first period. The Thunder equalized five and a half minutes later with a free position goal as both sides had few good looks at goal over the opening 12 minutes of play.
The Saint Mary's defense helped kick start the offense as two caused turnovers resulted in goals for the Belles over the next five minutes of play. Rachel Fetterhoff checked the ball loose from a Trine player's stick, and Lauren Telford picked up the ground ball. A couple of passes later, Emilie Vanneste was able to work her way through the defense and score to put the Belles up 2-1 with 15:32 on the clock. Two minutes later, Caleigh Gainey caused a turnover and picked up the ground ball before Lauren Telford connected with Kate Kelly to make it 3-1 with 13:20 to go before halftime.
Both goalkeepers combined to make a handful of saves as Saint Mary's clung to the two-goal lead late in the opening half. The Belles eventually broke through again. Fetterhoff caused another turnover and collected the ground ball to put Saint Mary's back in possession, and Kate Kelly was able to send home her second goal of the game to make it 4-1 with 4:51 on the clock.
Trine regained some momentum with a goal with 3:27 to go to make it 4-2, and that is how the score stood at the halftime break.
The Belles were able to extend the lead to three goals early in the second half as Clare Theisen notched a free position goal before three minutes had elapsed from the clock. Despite Saint Mary's continuing to get some good looks at goal, Trine edged back within two with a goal seven minutes later. Rachael Leonard got the ball back with a caused turnover and a ground ball after the draw control, and the Belles made the most of an extended possession. The Thunder were whistled for a yellow card, and Emilie Vanneste capitalized on a free position chance to make it 6-3 with 18:58 to go. Five minutes later, Teresa Guerrero had a near-perfect leading pass into the critical scoring area, and Clare Theisen sent home her third goal of the game to put Saint Mary's ahead 7-3.
The Thunder took advantage of an extra-player opportunity to make it a 7-4 contest with 10:50 left on the clock, but the Belles quickly stifled any momentum as Theisen struck yet again less than a minute later for the 8-4 Saint Mary's lead. Kate Kelly then scored a free position goal when the Belles were down a player due to a yellow card to make it 9-4 with just over eight minutes remaining.
Clare Theisen capped off the scoring with a free position goal of her own with 6:30 left on the clock. The defense was steady down the stretch as the Belles did not allow the Thunder to get a shot on goal over the final six minutes of play to preserve the 10-4 decision.
Clare Theisen led the way with five goals, a school-record 10 ground balls, and four caused turnovers. Kate Kelly added three goals, and Emilie Vanneste scored two goals with seven ground balls. Lauren Telford, Molly Stout, and Teresa Guerrero each added an assist, and Shannon Weyer made seven saves in the win.
The Belles (6-5, 3-0 MIAA) host Albion on Saturday, April 16 starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Saint Joseph High School Stadium. The two members of the senior class - Teresa Guerrero and Kristen Whalen - will be recognized prior to the start of the game.