Grand Rapids, Mich. –The Panthers took on the Warriors of Indiana Tech Wednesday night in the quarterfinals of the NWLL National Tournament. The Panthers jumped out to an early four goal lead, just over 12 minutes into the game. To end the half the Warriors collected five of the final seven goals to cut the deficit to one. The Warriors collected the first two goals of the second half to take their first lead of the game. From there the Panthers answered with four straight goals to take a 10-7 lead. Two goals by the Lady Warriors cut the deficit to one, but the Panthers went on to take the victory 12-9 after two goals in the final five minutes.
Three minutes into the game, Amber Livingston gave the Panthers an early lead. Livingston went on to collect her second and third goals of the game to extend the lead to three. Tara Pluger was credited with the assist on Livingston's third goal. Just over four minutes later it would Pluger finding the back of the net on a free position shot.
The Lady Warriors would answer right back with an Alexa Winter goal to cut the deficit to three. Taylor Campbell tallied her first goal of the game, less than a minute later to cut the Lady Panthers lead to two. Back-to-back goals from Winter and NWLL Player of the Year Sam Vikstrom, tied the game at four with 12:05 left in the half.
At the 10:20 mark, the Lady Warriors took their first lead of the game after Heidi Tremaine netted her first goal of the game. With under a minute to play in the half, Jessica Lemcke and Sydney Gray each collected a goal to give the Lady Panthers a 6-5 lead at the break.
The Lady Warriors came out firing in the second half, collecting a pair of goals to take the lead right back. Campbell tallied her second goal of the game to start the half and Nicole Price gave the Lady Warriors the lead. The Lady Panthers answered back just over two minutes later to tie the game at seven.
With 23:58 left, Livingston's fourth goal of the game gave the Panthers the lead for good. Brooke Knoll notched back-to-back goals to extend the lead to three at 10-7. Winter and Scott answered back for the Warriors to cut the deficit to one, but it would not be enough. After goals from Kuzava and Brianna Longnecker the Panthers went on to take the victory 12-9.
Livingston led the Panthers with four goals and three draw controls. Knoll and Kuzava each added a pair of goals. Pluger finished with a goal and five assists. Lemcke, Gray, and Longnecker each chipped in a goal apiece. Alex Yates collected the victory in net, finishing with five saves. Gray totaled nine caused turnovers in the game to set the DU single-game record, breaking her own record set earlier this season of eight.
Winter led the Warriors with three goals and two groundballs. Campbell tallied a pair of goals, while Vikstrom, Scott, and Tremine each added a goal. Meaghan Eldridge suffered the loss in net, after finishing with 13 saves.
Next up the Panthers will take on #1 SCAD at 5:00 pm (EST) Friday in the semifinals.
*Courtesy of Matt Ankenbrandt, NWLL.net
