Redlands Women's Lacrosse Falters to Rhodes College in First Spring Break Game

Photo credit: Sam Keary
Photo credit: Sam Keary

The University of Redlands women's lacrosse team headed east for Spring Break, beginning with a non-conference showdown against Rhodes College (TN) on Sunday afternoon.  After an incredibly tight first half, the Bulldogs endured a scoring drought that ended up being the difference in an 8-13 loss to the Lynx. 

Senior attack player Dulce Moll (Mercer Island, WA) immediately put Redlands on the board by firing off her first goal of the game just 36 seconds into the action.  She connected with sophomore midfielder Hanna Morford (West Linn, OR) for a sweet one-two combination in front of the net.  The efficient scoring play began with junior midfielder Lacey Bjorndal's (Sherwood, OR) game-opening draw control.

After Rhodes fired off back-to-back scores, the Bulldogs responded with a pair of consecutive netters as well. Moll and Morford each stepped up for the Maroon and Gray to give the visiting team a slight 3-2 advantage less than 10 minutes into the game.

Another two-goal spurt by the Lynx set up the final back-and-forth trading of scores in the half, with Morford carrying the Bulldogs with two more netters to send them into the break with a small 5-6 deficit.

While facing 14 shots on goal in the opening frame, junior goalkeeper Quinn Egan (Greenwood Village, CO) stepped up with eight impressive saves.

Unfortunately for Redlands, the second half saw the Lynx maintain their offensive rhythm, while the Bulldogs struggled to find the back of the net.  Morford accounted for two of the team's three goals, while freshman midfielder Sadie Pickering (Tacoma, WA) added one late in the game.

Egan finished with 16 saves in a stellar effort between the posts. She also initiated 16 succesful clears on the day.

In addition to her five goals and one assist, Morford tallied five of the team's 14 draw controls.  Bjorndal hauled in three for the Bulldogs.

Redlands (1-2) continues its Spring Break trip with a 5 p.m. PT contest at Hendrix College (AR) on Monday, February 27.