April 22, 2016 - The season of growth and improvement continued tonight for the Concordia University Chicago Cougars. The women's lacrosse program got off to its best defensive start of the season in this evening's Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference matchup against the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks. The Cougars jumped out to an early 1-0 lead under the lights on the south side of Chicago, but the Scarlet Hawks wouldn't allow the Cougars to spoil their senior night as they rattled off the next 16 goals in the match to complete a 16-1 rout.

The Cougars grabbed the lead and their only goal of the game with 18:24 left in the first half. Sydney Fuller (Elkhart, IN/Northridge) raced from the back of the net and created space as she curled around to the front and fired a shot just low and to the left of the ITT keeper to give CUC the 1-0 lead.

CUC continued to play strong defense through the first 14 minutes of the game before the Scarlet Hawks scored their first goal. Melissa Franco (Wood Dale, IL/Fenton) was on fire in net for the Cougars, making seven saves over the first 15 minutes with some of those coming on one-on-one and point blank shots. Illinois Tech unlocked the Cougar defense for the remainder off the game, however, and rattled off 16 straight goals. Franco finished the day with 15 saves and a .484 save percentage, her highest of the season.

The Cougars will have a quick turnaround and will play again tomorrow. They will take on Cornell College from Mount Vernon, Iowa. Opening draw is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.