CHICAGO, Ill. – The Augustana women's lacrosse team traveled to the Windy City for their season opener on Wednesday, downing the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks by a 14-10 score.
Kyla Painter got the Vikings on the board with an unassisted goal in the first period, immediately capitalizing on an Illinois Tech foul. Following a successful clearance by Augie deep in their territory, Cassidy Petrie weaved through traffic to grab the Vikings' second point of the frame. Just under three minutes later, Augie scored twice within 18 seconds, with Elena Bechard and Madison Langewisch each securing their first goals of the season. Claire Kim's woman-up goal with 1:08 left in the first put the Vikings up 5-0. Petrie scored her second goal early in the second period, but Illinois Tech responded with five unanswered scores to bring the contest to 6-5 at the half.
The Scarlet Hawks tied the game just over a minute into the third period to make it six goals in a row for the home team. Petrie quickly retaliated with her first of two goals in the period on a woman-up opportunity. After a Langewisch goal made it 8-6, the two teams exchanged scores before Petrie grabbed a ground ball and scored moments later to bring the game to 10-7 heading into the final quarter.
Augie started the fourth period with three goals, two from Kim and one from Langewisch, to extend their lead to six. The Scarlet Hawks sent in a successful shot with 2:40 remaining in the game before Bechard responded with Augie's final score. Illinois Tech slipped two goals past the Vikings in the final two minutes, but it was not enough as Augustana took their season opener by a 14-10 final.
Petrie led the Vikings in scoring with four goals, followed by Kim and Langewisch with three each. Petrie's 13 shots were the most in any contest of her career, surpassing her previous high of 12 on March 3, 2022. Rachel Forman played all 60 minutes in goal, recording 16 saves on 32 shot attempts. Bechard and Painter each had three caused turnovers for Augie.
With the win, the Vikings move to 1-0 on the season. The team will return to Thorson-Lucken Field for a five-game homestand, beginning on Sunday, March 5, against Augsburg. Start time is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
