Promising First Half Not Enough as Mustangs Fall to Missouri Valley

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Mustang women's lacrosse team held their own in the first half and into the second, but Missouri Valley was able to escape late to earn a victory, 18-7.

The Vikings struck for four within the first nine minutes of the opening quarter, but the Mustangs rallied back with two of their own, before the Vikings added a pair to close the quarter up four. But the second quarter was a different story, as the Mustangs dominated the game in the quarter, holding Missouri Valley to just one goal while scoring three themselves, coming off the sticks of Flora Jimenez, Brooke Caffrey, and Mollie Lyon. The Mustangs would storm back to only trail by a pair at the half.

But the promising first half led to Missouri Valley finding their fire, outscoring the Mustangs 8-2 in the quarter. The Mustangs, however, would trim the lead down to just one as Cosette Denoyer scored the opening goal of the quarter off an assist from Caffrey. The Vikings would round out the game with three goals in the fourth, taking home the win, in what was the same scoreline as last year's matchup between the two teams.

Despite the loss, Scarlett Belle Martinez recorded 10 saves to help fuel the Mustang defense. The game was highly physical, as there were a total of 13 cards handed out between both teams.

The Mustangs will next faceoff against UW-Stout on the road, with a start time of 5 p.m. on Wednesday.