MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team suffered a 12-11 setback at Rhodes College Sunday afternoon, Feb. 23, at Mason Field. The Titans led by two at halftime, but a strong second half by the Lynx sent IWU's record to 0-2. Rhodes' boosted its record to 2-1 with the win.

Junior Riley Rooney (St. Charles, Ill.-St. Charles East) tied the game at 10-all with a goal at the 16:28 mark of the second half, but Rhodes responded with tallies at 12:00, 8:09, and 7:18 to go up two, 12-10.

After having a series of chances fought off, the Titans cut the deficit in half with a goal by sophomore Cassandra Jones (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-Conant) with 20 seconds to play. Sophomore Bridget O'Malley (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) won the ensuing draw control, but IWU's late push was whistled dead and the ball was turned over to the Lynx as the clock expired.

Illinois Wesleyan held a slim, 12-11, edge in draw controls, and doubled up Rhodes in saves, 14-7. The Lynx owned a 33-23 advantage in shots, as well as a 26-21 lead in ground balls.

Rooney led the Titans with a hat trick, with O'Malley, Jones, and sophomore Landry Elliott (Milwaukee, Wis.-Nicolet) adding two goals each. Junior Maggie Torres (Chicago, Ill.-Resurrection Prep) tallied one goal and an assist, and senior Amanda Best (Fitchburg, Wis.-Verona Area) rounded out the scoring with her first goal of the season.

Junior Janaye Godfrey (Hillsboro, Ore.-Lincoln) was credited with a game-high 14 stops. Best notched a team-best four ground balls, followed by senior Daisy Guerrero (Prospect Heights, Ill.-Wheeling), junior Hannah Foley (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-Conant), and Godfrey who had three apiece. Elsewhere, Jones and O'Malley tied for the team lead with four draw controls each.

Illinois Wesleyan returns to action with a pair of home games next weekend, Friday-Saturday, Feb. 28-29. The Titans host Capital University for a 3 p.m. bout at Tucci Friday afternoon, before hosting Hope College Saturday at 3 p.m.