RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls women's lacrosse team was victorious in its WIAC opener against the College of Saint Benedict, 13-7, marking the team's second win in the span of just three days.
The win improved UWRF's record to 7-2 on the season, extending the team's winning streak to five straight games.
The matchup started off scoreless for the first four and a half minutes, before Samantha Hayek started things off with a goal off a free-position shot. Murphi Specht followed up two minutes later with a goal assisted by Molly Pierce. After Saint Benedict got on the board at 6:58, Elizabeth Clough and Specht added goals to cap off a 4-1 first-period advantage for the Falcons.
In a high-scoring second period, the Falcons extended their lead to 9-2 late in the frame, as Hayek, Specht (x2), Brooke Glumack, and Natasha Berthiaume found the back of the net. The Bennies added two back-to-back goals in the final minute of the half to cut UWRF's lead to 9-4 at the break. River Falls held a 20-14 advantage in shots in the first half.
The third quarter was arguably the most one-sided of the game, as UWRF held a 4-0 advantage in goals that gave the Falcons a commanding 13-4 lead heading into the final quarter. The Falcons scored four goals off six shots on goal, with the goals coming from Avery Watzke, Brooke Glumack, Megan Peter, and Murphi Specht.
The Bennies rallied three goals in the final frame and held the Falcons scoreless, but ultimately UWRF's lead held through the final whistle, giving River Falls a 13-7 victory in its WIAC opener.
As a team, UWRF held a 20-16 advantage in shots on goal and went 23-31 on clear attempts. The Falcons held a 14-9 edge in draw controls over the Bennies.
Specht finished with a career-high six points, doing so off five goals and one assist. Samantha Hayek totaled four points off two goals and two assists on the night. Annelise Rommeck recorded nine saves in the net, and improved to 4-0 on the season.
Next up, the Falcons will wrap up a busy week in Minneapolis, facing Augsburg at 1 p.m. on March 29.
