Box Score Waukesha, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse lacrosse team opened its 2023 season with a 20-11 loss at Carroll University (Wis.) Wednesday night. Carroll is now 4-1 on the season.

Britta Nelson gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead with a goal :32 into the game. UWL would get back-to-back goals from Ava Schiltz to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead with 12:12 left in the first period. Carroll's Trina Hardin would put the Pioneers on the score board with 6:30 left in opening period. The score remained 3-1 in favor of the Eagles at the end of the first period. 

The Eagles quickly struck in the second period on back-to-back goals from Abigail Steigauf to give UWL a 5-1 lead with 12:53 left in second quarter. Carroll scored two quick goals to cut their deficit to 5-3 with 12:12 left in the half. Lauren Schwartz scored on a free position goal to give UWL a 6-3 lead before Carroll's Hardin made it 6-4. Schwartz scored her second goal of the period in the eighth minute and MacKenzie Crouse made it 8-4 in the seventh minute. The Pioneers scored the final three goals of the first half to trail 8-7 at half time. 

Carroll scored the first three goals of the third quarter as they took a 10-8 lead with 10:47 on the clock. Schlitz scored a man up free position goal in the ninth minute for the Eagles while Nelson scored her second goal of the game to even the score at 10 with 6:04 remaining in the third quarter. The Pioneers scored the final three goals of the third quarter to lead 13-10.

Nelson cut the Eagles deficit to 13-11 with her third goal of the game on an assist from Kiersten Pelletier in the first minute of the fourth quarter. However, that would be the final goal of the game for the Eagles as the Pioneers finished the game on a 7-0 run for the final score of 20-11. 

UWL finished with 20 shots in the game while Carroll totaled 46. Nelson and Schlitz led the Eagles with three goals each while Steigauf and Schwartz each scored two and Crouse had one. .Emily Hageman finished with three saves for the Eagles while Abigale Furlano had one. 

Clara Jelacic led the Pioneers with six goals while Hardin had five and Rebecca Hallman finished with four. Rebecca McDaniel recorded a save in goal for Carroll. 

UWL returns to action on Saturday, March 11 for their home opener when they host Wartburg College (Iowa) at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.