MONTGOMERY, Ill. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's lacrosse team fell behind early and couldn't recover in a 16-6 defeat at Aurora University on Saturday.

Box Score

A goal from Alexie Romanelli (So. - Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) tied the score 1-1 early in the first quarter before the Spartans scored seven straight goals across the first and second periods to establish an 8-1 lead. That stretch included three goals across the final three minutes of the opening quarter and another within the first two minutes of the second. Reegan Werner (Fr. - Farmington, Minn.) later answered with a goal off an assist from Devon Crews (Fr. - St. Louis, Mo./Rockwood Summit) at the 6:11 mark of the second quarter. Aurora scored again with three minutes left in the half, but Romanelli scored off a free position shot with 1:32 to go to cut the deficit to 9-3 at halftime.

The Blugolds came out firing in the second half, with Samantha Burns (So. - Mahtomedi, Minn.) and Romanelli both scoring within the first three-plus minutes to make it a 9-5 Aurora lead. However, the Spartans scored three times in the final four minutes of the third quarter to make it an eight-point cushion.

Lily Zygowicz (Fr. - Lafayette, Colo./Centaurus) scored for UW-Eau Claire in the fourth quarter, but four more Aurora goals made a rally too difficult to achieve. Riley Domagala (Jr. - Bloomington, Minn./Bloomington Jefferson) assisted Zygowicz's goal.

Alexandria Shea (So. - Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) made 10 saves in goal for UW-Eau Claire. The Blugolds held a 14-12 edge in draw controls.

UW-Eau Claire is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, March 25, at Carroll University (Wis.). Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

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