REDLANDS, Calif. -- The Illinois Wesleyan women's lacrosse team fought back from a 6-2 deficit in the first half, but came up just short against University of Redlands on Friday, March 17, falling by a final score of 10-9. Sophomore Grainne Kelly scored a team-high four goals in the effort while assisting on another.

With a loss the Titans fall to 3-4 overall and conclude their spring break trip to California with a record of 1-2. Each of the Titans last three losses have come by just one goal. Redlands improves to 6-2 on the season as they prepare for play in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Redlands got on the board first as Sadie Pickering scored her first of six goals just 30 seconds into the contest. Kelly fired back soon thereafter however, scoring her first goal of the game at the 22:05 mark off an assist from senior Maggie Krause. Krause led the team in assists on Friday with two.

Pickering scored five goals in the first half, with her last tally putting the Bulldogs up 6-2 with 1:14 to play in the first half. A late goal from sophomore Dani Engelbreit cut the deficit to three goals heading into halftime.

IWU was red hot out of the gates in the second half, scoring three times in the first 10 minutes to cut the Bulldog lead to one, 7-6. After another Bulldog goal, the Titans, led by Krause and Kelly rattled off three goals to take a 9-8 lead with just over 10 minutes to play in regulation. Unfortunately for IWU that would be their only lead of the game after late goals from Pickering and Hanna Morford gave Redlands a 10-9 lead with 7:52 to play.

Also scoring goals for the Titans were a trio of sophomores in Claudia Richman, Sara Dust and Sam Bidlack. Dust and Richman also added assists on the evening. In goal junior Claire Quist made 12 saves on 22 shots faced. Quist, Engelbreit and freshman Amanda Best led the team with four ground balls apiece.

IWU was out-shot by the Bulldogs 31-20 and were led in draw controls 14-7. Redlands took advantage of 17 free-position attempts by converting on six, while IWU was 1-for-4 from the free-position.

What's Next?
The Illinois Wesleyan women's lacrosse is set to play their home opener against Concordia University (Wis.) on Wednesday, March 22 at 4:30 p.m. Concordia holds a record of 1-3 this season but will play conferences matches against Wartburg and Loras College prior to facing the Titans on Wednesday.