The No. 21 Colorado Mesa Mavericks lost to No. 4 Lindenwood University 18-15 on Saturday in the Mavs Wage Hope game.
The Mavericks were led by Mary Koch who had six goals and displayed sheer effort. Lindenwood was led by Hailey Gallant who had four goals and an assist and Gracie Pine who had four goals on the day. CMU sophomore attacker Kenzie Blackwell for missed the game due to injury.
“Our effort level never died, I think defensively we tried our best to apply the pressure we wanted to, and I think sometimes what is dangerous about that is not capitalizing on the mistakes,” Coach Loecker said. “I felt like we were causing the mistakes but then not winning the loose balls, then we end up playing a really fast-paced game and we have to do everything twice.”
CMU kicked the scoring in this game off with Koch getting her first early on the day off a great cut to the front of the net assisted by Amanda Barton. Lindenwood wasn’t far behind though, as they would score two of their own, with the second coming off a dodge down the left alley finding the cutter sneaking onto the crease for the one-timer goal for Gallant. The Mavericks sophomore goalie Nici Boutwell had three saves in the first half.
In the last 15 minutes, Lindenwood scored five of their last six on free position goals, compared to the Mavericks’ one. Senior midfielder Olivia Hayden scored her first on the day by placing an absolute rocket into the top left corner. CMU would win the ground ball battle in the first half by just one, 15-14, and the turnovers were even at 13 for both teams. The Lions were up 11-6 at the half.
“We can deal with the physicality of the zone but with the understanding that our best defenders are getting a chance to help on their best shooters,” Loecker said. “The trouble with Lindenwood is that their best shooters are all of them, so they have a lot of depth on that end. I think their offensive end is definitely something where you have to give credit to all seven players.”
To start the second half the Mavericks started sophomore goalie Lula Mitchell. Sophomore attacker Marissa Leonardi opened the scoring up by finishing on a crease off a great feed from junior attacker Paige Elliot. Leonardi would score two of her three goals in the second half. Elliot had eight assists in the game but her prettiest of the game was on the right-wing with a defender on her, she found Koch cutting through traffic for a goal.
With 15 minutes left the Mavericks had cut the deficit to 14-12 on goals from Leonardi and freshman attacker Maeve Hungerford. Even though Mesa went 12-17 on draws in the second half, Lindenwood’s potent offensive attack would go on a three-goal run to push this game out of reach.
“Honestly, this team individually is so invested in what we are doing, and I feel like that was visible the whole game and you never question that,” Loecker said. “The investment they are willing to give every day is through the roof and it makes it so much fun to coach them.”
Sophomore midfielder Danielle Simpson scored one goal and one assist today, with sophomore midfielder Abigail Witmer contributing a goal and an assist in the game.
The Mavericks won the groundball battle 31-27 and the draw control battle 18-17.
CMU’s next game will be March 13th at 4 pm at Walker Field and they will be playing Rockhurst University.
