McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team achieved a decisive victory against the Illinois Institute of Technology with a 23-0 shutout on Wednesday, February 26. This marks the first win of the season for head coach Abby Kushina and is the team's first shutout since their victory over Elmhurst in April 2019. The Titans now hold a record of 1-1, while IIT remains winless at 0-3.

Junior Sadie Newton led the offensive effort with seven points, matching her career-high with three goals and setting a new personal best with four assists. Senior Avery Setzler contributed six points and five goals, equaling her career-high. Sophomore Chloe Heyl scored her first collegiate points with four goals and an assist, while senior Mia Fiandaca also netted four goals. Freshman Maddie Gibson added two assists to her debut performance.

Fiandaca was dominant in draw controls, securing 12 for Illinois Wesleyan. Newton followed with five, and freshman Sophie Shore along with Setzler each had two.

On defense, Fiandaca led by causing eight turnovers, setting a single-game program record. Carly Bajusz forced three turnovers, while Newton contributed two. Fiandaca also gathered ten ground balls during the game, surpassing her previous best by two. Newton collected six ground balls and Setzler added four.

In goal, senior Lizzie Rymarcsuk played the first half and was credited with the win. Freshman Marli Brown took over in the second half and made one save on IIT's sole shot on goal.

Fiandaca quickly put IWU on the scoreboard within just 13 seconds from game start. Bajusz then caused a turnover that resulted in Carleigh Fountain scoring a goal after receiving an assist from Sarah Riepe.

With seven minutes left in the first quarter, Bajusz assisted Heyl for her first career goal. Heyl returned the favor soon after by assisting Fountain's goal to push IWU to a 5-0 lead. Two more goals concluded the opening quarter at 7-0.

Setzler began scoring in the second quarter using a free-position attempt, followed by additional goals from Fiandaca, Setzler again, and Newton to conclude halftime at 11-0.

The second half saw further scoring action as Newton scored off Fountain's pass shortly into playtime. Heyl completed her hat trick quickly thereafter using an assist from Gibson before Newton set up Setzler for another goal ending third quarter at 16-0.

Shore facilitated Gibson's score early in fourth-quarter play capitalizing on woman-up opportunity; Keeton provided assistance leading Bajusz’s initial collegiate score bringing tally up to19–0; subsequently Shore notched own inaugural goal extending advantage further still at20–0

After three additional Titan scores nearing match conclusion IIT appeared poised spoiling shutout drawing free-position chance late game yet thwarted when Brown saved preserving ultimate margin closing out proceedings successfully delivering squad’s initial comprehensive triumph since prior instance back-in-year nineteen

Illinois Wesleyan is set to return home facing Edgewood College Saturday March First holding contest inside Tucci Stadium commencing promptly four pm local time