BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – In a tense back-and-forth league contest that wasn't decided until the final seconds, the University of Chicago women's lacrosse team lost a narrow 14-13 decision to host Illinois Wesleyan University on Thursday.

The Maroons (6-1 record, 3-1 CCIW) absorbed their first defeat of the season to break their nine-game winning streak that stretched back to the end of the 2019 season. The Titans improved to 9-2 overall (3-1 CCIW).

Turnovers plagued UChicago early on as Illinois Wesleyan capitalized to take a 5-1 lead midway through the first half. The visitors were able to flip the switch in the final 13 minutes of the period, as they embarked on a 5-0 run. Immediately after the Titans took their four-goal lead, UChicago won the draw control and sophomore Katie Large deposited the ball into the back of the net. First-year Camille Kuwana tallied another score 46 seconds later. Junior Sarah Bloomquist brought UChicago within one a minute later, and first-year Lulu Hardy scored twice to put her team ahead 6-5 at halftime.

The momentum continued into the second half of play. Large scored 38 seconds in and junior Ali Sheehy made it 8-5 a few minutes later. However, it was then IWU's turn to respond after a 20-minute scoring drought. Four goals in five minutes by the hosts gave them the lead right back, 9-8.

The final 15 minutes of game time became a tight affair as both sides had an answer to keep pace with one another. Sheehy and Hardy tallied two more goals apiece, with first-year Lizzie Huesman sandwiched between. Hardy's strike with six minutes left gave UChicago its final lead at 13-12.

But IWU came up clutch with two more tallies and withstood UChicago's final push, making a save with eight seconds left to clinch it.

Sheehy and Hardy concluded with four goal each to lead the offense. Large accounted for two goals and junior Lally Johnson dished out three assists. Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Feigen (5-1 record) made five saves between the pipes.

UChicago held sway in the shots category 34-26, while IWU picked up more ground balls (19-17). Turnovers were even at 19 for both sides. Draw controls were a particular strength for the Maroons with a 20-9 advantage, which included seven by sophomore Charlotte Rapp and six by Huesman. IWU went 19-for-27 on clear attempts (70 percent); UChicago was 13-for-16 (81 percent).

NEXT GAME:

• Sunday, April 25 @ Noon – Augustana at UChicago