ST. PAUL, Minn. - Facing a halftime deficit for the first time this season, the Davenport women's lacrosse team trailed Concordia-St. Paul 6-4 after 30 minutes of play on Friday night at Sea Foam Stadium. The Panthers came out swinging in the second half, though, and outscored their opponent 11-3 en route to the 15-9 victory, their first ever over the Golden Bears (six meetings). These two teams will go at it again on Sunday with the opening draw set for noon eastern time.

With the win, Davenport improved to 7-1 overall,  3-1 in GLIAC play and 6-1 in road games, the program's most victories away from home since the 2017 season. On the other side, Concordia-St. Paul fell to 3-6 on the season, 2-5 in league action and has dropped five games in a row since a 3-1 start to the spring.

In the five previous meetings with the Golden Bears, the Panthers had reached double-figures in scoring just once, something they've now done 11 matches in a row dating back to last season. Friday, Davenport out-shot its opponent 34-13, including 27-12 in shots on goal, 11-2 in free-position shots and 6-1 in free-position goals. Defensively, the Panthers caused 15 turnovers, one off their season high of 16 set at Ashland on March 28.

Individually, a quintet of Panthers broke into the scoring column including the defending IWLCA National Offensive Player of the Week, Anna Glynn (4 goals), Aaliyah Miller (4), Ryann Deuel (3), Brenna Knoll (3), and Avery Garant (1). Five of Davenport's 15 scores were assisted by Glynn (2 assists), Deuel (1), Knoll (1), and Garant (1). Knoll led the way in total shots with 12 (career high) while all nine of Miller's shot attempts were on target (tied season high).
 
Defensively, Christine Steffes, Jordyn Harrison (pictured) and Amber Park each tallied three ground balls, Park was on top of the caused turnovers leaderboard with four, and Deuel racked up seven draw controls. In goal, Grace DeRidder and Tylor Baker split time with two saves and one save, respectively. Baker picked up the win to improve to 2-0 this season and 5-0 in her young career. As a team, Davenport held Concordia-St. Paul to just four shots in the second half.

Story by: Cooper Weidenthaler