TACOMA, Wash. — It was a 60-minute defensive slugfest on Friday night under the lights. The Pacific Lutheran University women's lacrosse squad matched a school record for fewest goals allowed but it wasn't enough to steal the win against Northwest Conference rival Pacific University, getting edged 5-3 at East Field.
"Today's game is evidence of the commitment to the process and we so much growth and progress with the way we're competing. Our defense was locked in and played as a unit, and we worked as a team to successfully transition the ball in the midfield," said Head Coach
Melanie Rizzotti.
The visiting Boxers (7-6, 1-4 NWC) drew first blood, scoring with 9:35 left in the opening quarter.
Taylee Alldredge quickly tied the game, scoring unassisted 35 seconds later for her 15th goal of the 2026 campaign.
The Boxers pushed ahead 2-1 just under a minute into the second quarter but
Emily Mejia ensured the Lutes (3-10, 1-4 NWC) were even at the break, forcing a turnover, scooping up the ball, and scoring with 2:51 left in the second quarter as the two sides entered halftime deadlocked at 2-2. The goal was Mejia's seventh of the season.
It was a stalemate for much of the third quarter until the Boxers pushed ahead with 2:49 left in the period and added another two minutes into the fourth to build a 4-2 advantage.
Peyton Terhar tallied her eighth goal of the season with 7:36 left in the game, pulling the Lutes to within a score at 4-3. Pacific would answer four minutes later, scoring while a player up to cement the 5-3 victory.
PLU won eight of the 10 draw controls and owned a 32-26 edge in ground balls.
Paige Hackman and Alldredge led the charge off the draw with three apiece while
Gracie Cecka had two.
Hackman had a huge night defensively with eight ground balls and five caused turnovers while Alldredge had five ground balls. Proving to be a stout defender, Hackman now holds single season records for ground balls (53) and caused turnovers (26), shattering records set by Alldredge during last year's inaugural campaign.
Kassie Diller was a brick wall in goal, making eight saves with a .615 save percentage.
The Lutes close out their home slate and honor the 2026 senior class tomorrow afternoon, hosting George Fox University at 1 p.m.
