CHICAGO – The University of Chicago women's lacrosse team controlled the first half with aplomb and utilized another balanced offensive effort to run past Hope College 19-6 on Saturday afternoon.

The No. 19-ranked Maroons improved to 3-0 on the season. The Flying Dutch (3-1 record) were dealt their first loss.

Saturday on the Stagg Field turf was a balmy affair with temperatures soaring into the upper 60s. The Maroons – who have never lost a home game in program history – opened the scoring a mere 38 seconds into the contest. Junior Zoe Torok found sophomore Lulu Hardy for the goal and UChicago never looked back. While it took almost eight minutes for the next score to arrive, the home side made up for it with a quartet of goals over the next six-and-a-half minutes. Senior Audrey Kaus scored twice in that time span, including on a free-position shot with five seconds left in the quarter.  

UChicago kept pouring it on in the second quarter, boosting the lead up to 10-1. Junior Anneke Pulkkinen accounted for back-to-back tallies during the middle of that run. While Hope scored on a power play with under four minutes left, UChicago came right back with a goal courtesy of sophomore Camille Kuwana. The advantage stood at 11-2 heading into halftime.

The running clock was enacted right away in the third quarter as the lead reached 10 after first-year Lily DePalma's free-position strike less than 40 seconds in.

While Hope was able to get a few back by running at goal hard after draw controls, the Maroon offense chugged along unabated. Torok put up two goals in the period and UChicago led 17-4 heading into the fourth quarter.

The last 15 minutes played out quickly with both teams only scoring twice each to account for the 19-6 final.

UChicago's well-rounded attack shone through once more – 11 different players scored and six players had multiple goals. Torok led the way with three goals, three assists and three ground balls. Pulkkinen put up three goals and an assist of her own. Kaus tallied two goals, two assists and two ground balls. First-year Evelina Swigart submitted two goals and an assist, while DePalma and senior Ali Sheehy posted two goals each. Junior Becky Van Kirk caused two turnovers on the defensive end, but also got involved offensively with a goal and an assist.

Defensively, the Maroons were a menace with their ride all over the field as the Flying Dutch converted less than half of their clear attempts (9-19). UChicago went 13-for-16 in clears on the other end. Ground balls were severely lopsided, 27-7 in favor of the hosts. The Maroons outshot the visitors 38-17.

First-year goalie Rachel Keefe (3-0 record) played the first 38 minutes to earn the win. She made two saves with three goals allowed. Juniors Emily Feigen (3 GA) and Kat Berritto (2 SV) split up the remainder of the game in relief.

NEXT GAME:

• Saturday, March 12 @ 1:00 PM – DePauw University at UChicago