NOTRE DAME, Ind. --- Continuing a busy stretch of games, the Concordia University Chicago women's lacrosse team took to the field today against the St. Mary's College Belles in a non-conference contest. St. Mary's jumped out to an early lead in the first, but CUC fought back in the second quarter to tie the match, but a big second half was the difference as the Belles downed CUC 11-8.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Rylee Orenstein scored three goals, all coming on free-position attempts.
• Emily Cyrwus scored three goals putting her at nine on the season.
• Ryan McGee made 19 saves in net.

St. Mary's opened the day scoring the first four goals of the contest. The Cougars finally were able to answer with two minutes to go in the first half when Kelli Pietrowski netted her third goal of the season. CUC continued to fight back when Elizabeth Cyrwus scored early in the second quarter.

After a St. Mary's goal extended the lead back to three, the Cougars answered with three goals of their own. Orenstein netted two goals in just 49 seconds to pull CUC back within one. Then it was Emily Cyrus finishing off a pass from Grace Miller to tie the match at five. St. Mary's scored one final goal before the half to take a 6-5 lead into the break.

The Belles continued to build on their momentum, extending their run to 5-0 at one point, building the lead to 10-5. CUC tried to battle back once more, getting two goals from Emily Cyrwus and one from Orenstein, but it wasn't enough as the Cougars fell to St. Mary's 11-8.

The Cougars will return to action on Saturday, March 19 when Augustana College comes to River Forest for a non-conference match. Opening draw is set for 12:00 pm from Concordia Stadium. Links to coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.