Matlock Sets School Record but Lacrosse Drops Opener

Junior goalie notches 21 saves

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (03/06/2021) — The Monmouth College Fighting Scots women's lacrosse team dropped their season opener 16-3 to the Concordia Chicago Cougars on Saturday afternoon. Junior goalkeeper Olivia Matlock (Lees Summit, Mo.) set a school record with 21 saves in the loss.

"Our emotions were all over the place, 364 days since we played a game," said head coach Izzi Demara. "Excitement, nerves, everything. We came out a little nervous and rusty which is to be expected. We executed well in spurts but we have a lot of things to work on"

The Cougars took the lead with 2:21 gone in the first half as Nina Naes scored. The visitors added four goals from three different players and took a 5-0 lead with 10:42 to go in the half when Emily Cyrwus scored her scored of the game.

The Fighting Scots got on the board with 9:27 to play in the half after winning a free position shot. Senior midfielder Aspen Chadderdon (Marshalltown, Iowa) took the free position shot but her attempt sailed wide. The Fighting Scots kept possession and junior attacker Mel Fairand (Bloomington, Ill) scored off an assist by freshman Victoria Cook (Joliet, Ill.).

Less than 30 seconds later the Scots were on the board again. Hayden Deleeuw (Kirksville, Mo.) won the draw control and at the 9:02 mark Monmouth again got a free positon shot. Sophomore Mackenzie Holmes (Clive, Iowa) scored her first goal of the season to cut Concordia's lead to 5-2.

Concordia led 8-2 at half and extended their lead to 10-2 in the first ten minutes of the second half. Monmouth picked up a goal with 18:27 to play in the game as sophomore Madison Meldrum (Colona, Ill.) scored on an assist by junior Sarah Poirer (Lombard, Ill.).

Concordia pushed the lead to 13-3 to start the running clock and they led 14-3 when the Matlock made history in the Monmouth goal. With her save on Rylee Orenstein with 4:58 to play, Matlock set the school record with 19 saves in a single game. She added two more before being replaced by junior Lindsay Turnquist (Ventura, Calif.) with 2:36 left to play. Concordia added the final two goals of the match with 1:55 and 34 seconds left respectively.

"She (Matlock) has come a really long way since her freshman year and she fully earned this record," said Demara. "I know she is really excited about it and she should be."

Monmouth Moments: Matlock's previous career high in saves was 16 on April 20, 2019 against Concordia Wisconsin…The school record belonged to Elizabeth Reasoner who had 18 saves on February 18, 2017 against University of Northwestern/Minnesota…Monmouth is 2-3 in season openers…Concordia outshot the Fighting Scots 43-10…The 43 shots allowed are tied for sixth most in school history…Concordia had the edge in draw controls 13-8…Deleeuw and Chadderdon each had three draw controls for the Fighting Scots…Lesly Montoya (Villa Park, Ill.) led Monmouth with five ground balls…The Fighting Scots will next be in action on March 17 as they travel to Rock Island, Ill. to face Augustana at 6 p.m.

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