Lawrence Tech Advances in NAIA WLAX National Championship

DETROIT, Mich. - (NAIA Release) - Host and second-seeded Lawrence Tech won its quarterfinal match at the 2023 NAIA Women's Lacrosse National Championship with a 13-9 victory over No. 7 Missouri Baptist at Blue Devils Stadium. LTU had a huge second quarter, scoring six goals to pull away. 

Missouri Baptist struck first on a Caroline Karr goal three minutes into the game. Lawrence Tech struck back, scoring four of the next five goals, looking to take a two-goal lead. Mo Bap had different ideas as the Spartans added a goal in the closing minutes of the opening period to pull to within one at 4-3. 

The second quarter belonged to Tech as the Blue Devils went up 10-4 thanks to a pair of goals from Hannah Huebner and Alaina Smythe. The Spartans got a score late for a 10-5 halftime mark.

Smythe scored again in the third, but MBU answered with a pair of goals for an 11-7 score. Anabelle Acluche made a save late in the quarter to perserve the four-goal lead for the Blue Devils.

Missouri Baptist found the cage early in the fourth period but Acluche came up huge with a pair of saves and Smyth scored her fourth goal to maintain the lead. Mari Pellmann added an insurance goal to close out the scoring.

Missouri Baptist ends the season at 11-5 and was led by Jordan Haeusser's three goals. Chayleb Deves added four groundballs and caused three turnovers. Amelia Shaw finished with ten saves.

Smythe led LTU with her four goals while Huebner had three assists. Bella Burke scored once and tallied five caused turnovers and scooped seven ground balls while winning nine draw controls. Acluche fiinished with six saves between the pipes as LTU improved to 15-1.  

Lawrence Tech advances to the semifinals, where they will face No. 6 Life on Thursday at 8 p.m.