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Brit Maldonado getting celebrated for breaking single-season assist record
Kodiak Creative
9
Carroll (WI) CARROLL 10-3, 0-2 CCIW
11
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU 6-7, 1-2 CCIW
Carroll (WI) CARROLL
10-3, 0-2 CCIW
9
Final
11
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
6-7, 1-2 CCIW
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Carroll (WI) CARROLL 4 3 2 0 9
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 4 2 2 3 11

Game Recap: Women's Lacrosse |

Maldonado Breaks Single-Season Assist Record as Titans Take Down Pios

IWU grabs key CCIW win

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Scoring twice in the final six minutes, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team came from behind to defeat Carroll University, 11-9, inside Tucci Stadium Saturday, April 13. The win saw senior Britney Maldonado (Hoffman Estates, Ill.-James B. Conant) break the program's single-season assists record, as she recorded her 50th assist on the second goal of the game to surpass Sam Bidlack's record of 49 assists set in 2019. 

Maldonado and sophomore Devon Hanson (Waukesha, Wis.-Waukesha West) paced the Titan offense with six points each. Maldonado posted hers on one goal and five assists, while all six of Hanson's points came by way of goals, as she set a new career-high. Sophomore Anelise DiGiovanni (Lockport, Ill.-Lockport Township) added two goals in the contest.

Finishing with five draw controls, Hanson led the Green and White to a key 14-9 advantage at the draw. Junior Avery Setzler (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) and sophomore Sarah Riepe (Aurora, Ill.-St. Francis) each took three. Riepe scooped up a team-best five ground balls, while junior Lizzie Rymarcsuk (Lake Zurich, Ill.-Saint Viator) added four in her season debut. 

The difference in the game came on the defensive end, where the Titans locked down the Pios, causing 21 turnovers. Leading the charge, Hanson and Riepe caused five turnovers apiece, both setting new career-bests. 

Logging all 60 minutes between the iron, Rymarcsuk came in clutch, as she stopped 11 saves on 20 shots faced, pushing her past the 200 career saves mark. 

After a wild sequence of events saw the Pioneers open with the first goal of the game, Illinois Wesleyan quickly composed itself. Hanson won the draw, feeding it to Maldonado who found Fountain on a cut for the equalizer. 

Carroll recorded the next two goals to take a 3-1 advantage, but Maldonado hit DiGiovanni for her record-breaking assist to cut the lead to one with 7:42 remaining in the first period of action. Less than a minute later, DiGiovanni struck again, this time by way of a dish from sophomore Sadie Newton (Bloomington, Ill.-Normal Community) to even the score at three all. Each team struck once more to close out the first quarter of action locked at four.

The second period opened with Carroll winning the draw, but Riepe caused one of her five turnovers to set up the Green and White offense. Working her way around the Pios defense, Hanson ripped a shot to put the Titans ahead, 5-4, 50 seconds into the second.

Using a free-position to its advantage, Carroll evened the score at five, but Hanson found the back of the net once again, coming off a pass from Maldonado to push IWU out front, 6-5. Carroll closed the second quarter with the last two goals to take a 7-6 edge into halftime.

Opening the second half with a quick attack, Setzler won the opening draw to set up the offense. Maldonado hit Hanson wrapping around on a cut for the goal, knotting the score at seven all.

After a Titan miscue, Rymarcsuk made a quick save to regain possession for the Green and White. With the score tied 8-8 late in the third quarter, head coach Grainne Kelly called a timeout to set up the offense.

Carroll capitalized on a last second s hot to take a 9-8 lead into the final period of action, but the Titans got right back after it to start the fourth quarter. 

A key turnover picked off by Riepe led to an equalizer for IWU. Freshman Bri Steil (Peoria, Ill.-Dunlap) scooped up a rebounded shot to keep possession with the Green and White until Hanson ripped a shot into the back of the net to tie the game, 9-9.

Senior Hannah Trousdale (Mt. Prospect, Ill.-Hoffman Estates) picked off a bad Pios pass to set up another timeout by Kelly as the game remained tied at nine apiece with 5:55 remaining to play. Hanson was taken down on a run towards goal, earning her a free position from straight on goal. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, Hanson tucked a shot inside the left post to push IWU ahead, 10-9, with 5:45 left to play. The Waukesha, Wis. native would score one more time, with one second remaining, to close out the 11-9 victory for the Green and White. 

Illinois Wesleyan embarks on a two-game road trip, beginning with a contest at Elmhurst University Wednesday, April 17. Action is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Langhorst Field.
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