TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran University women's lacrosse team faced their first Northwest Conference opponent in Lewis & Clark on Saturday, falling to the Pioneers, 19-2.

After Gracie Cecka began the game with a draw control win, the Lutes offense found their stride less-than two minutes into the game as freshman Taylee Alldredge earned a free position penalty, where she would beat the keeper, putting the Lutes up 1-0 early.

The Pioneers wasted no time in response, winning the ensuing draw control and taking it to the house to tie the game up at 1-1. Lewis & Clark's offense took the momentum and continued to apply pressure on the Lutes defense, scoring two-minutes later to take a 2-1 lead. The Pios would maintain this lead for the remainder of the game.

PLU was unable to get a shot off for the remainder of the opening quarter, as the Pios continued to fire on the Lutes net, with seven more goals coming over the final 8:40 of the first. Lewis & Clark led the Lutes 9-1 through one quarter.
The offensive pressure continued to into the second quarter, where the Lutes were able to earn numerous successful clears, but failed to get a shot off in the second. The Pios added four more goals in the quarter, taking a commanding 13-1 lead into the half.

The third quarter remained scoreless for the first three minutes, but the Pios broke the ice and added their 14^th goal of the game. But the Lutes offense responded this time, as Alldredge picked up the draw control, taking it into the offensive zone where Issabella Marchio found the back of the net to make it a 14-2 game. Although, Lewis & Clark's defense locked in from there, holding the Lutes without a shot for the rest of the quarter, while their offense added a pair of goal to lead 16-2 through three quarters.

The Lutes managed one shot on goal in the final quarter, but it was saved by the Pios backup goalkeeper. And the Pioneer offense added three more goals to take the game over the Lutes on East Field; 19-2.

"A tough game today, but it is part of the process and we have a lot we can learn from today." Said Head Coach Melanie Rizzotti following the contest.

Marchio led the Lutes in shot attempts with two, as her one on-goal attempt resulted in her second-half score. Meanwhile, the Lutes goalkeeper Kassie Diller made 11 saves on 33 shots faced.

The Lutes head across Tacoma to take on the Puget Sound Loggers one week from today, before hosting a pair of mid-week games against teams from the SCIAC.

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