ELMHURST, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings women's lacrosse team secured their first conference victory on Saturday against the Elmhurst Bluejays by a score of 10-8.
Elmhurst scored early in the opening quarter to take the advantage before Colleen Chiavola scored Augie's first goal at 4:16 to draw even at one apiece. The Bluejays closed the quarter with two successful shots to lead 3-1 after 15 minutes of play.
In the second quarter, Kritika Chitnis moved the differential down to one after finding the back of the net off a pass by Anna Erickson at 9:15. In the final three minutes of the half, Elmhurst notched two more goals to secure the largest lead for either team heading into halftime at 5-2.
Returning to the field, Becca Lacina secured a successful free-position shot at 13:57, and both teams remained scoreless for the next nine minutes of action. At 4:37, Lacina obtained her second goal to get the Vikings within one off a pass from Erickson. Two minutes later, Erickson evened the score at 5-5 following a pass from Chiavola, and straight off the draw control, Lacina then grabbed the 6-5 lead. The Bluejays drew even with six seconds remaining to make it a 6-6 game entering the final quarter.
In the fourth, Elmhurst found the back of the net first before Lacina secured another free-position shot to tie the battle at seven. Both teams went back and forth with goals once more, with a successful free-position shot by Jackie McNair bringing the game to eight apiece. At 2:41, Chiavola regained the advantage after a solo goal before Chitnis moved the gap to two. The Vikings won the ensuing draw control and ran out the clock to secure the two-point victory.
Lacina led the team with four goals, while Erickson notched two assists. Madison Langewisch caused three turnovers and won 10 draw controls and Lanie Cecala earned the win in the net with 10 saves.
With the win, Augie improves to 5-8 and 1-2 in conference play. The team will be back in action on Wednesday, April 23 for their final road matchup against North Central.
