NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Lacrosse fell to North Central College on Wednesday night in their home opener, 13-9. The Belles fall to 2-5 on the year while the Cardinals improve to 6-2.

North Central would come out and make it an early three goal lead before sophomore Rachel Speckhard (Munster, IN) would get the Belles on the board. Cutting the Cardinals lead to two goals.

Both teams would catch fire in the second quarter, combining for 10 goals in the quarter alone. The Cardinals would add to their lead before sophomore Cate Krema (Western Springs, IL) would get on the board herself. North Central would add another before Krema would score twice and sophomore Kathryn Kalinowski (Atlanta, GA)  would tie the game at five. North Central would add two more before sophomore Lana Skibins (Granger, IN) and junior Mary Grace Heekin (Fayetteville, GA) would tie the game up before halftime, 7-7.

The Cardinals would add three more goals in the third before Speckard would find the back of the net for her second of the night.

North Central would add another before Speckhard would score again. But the comeback for the Belles would be shut down as the Cardinals would score two more to close out the game.

Krema and Speckhard would each record a hat trick while Skibins, Heekin, and Kalinowski would also get into the boxscore. Speckhard would lead the team with six shots while Kalinowski would record five and Krema would record four.

Senior goalkeeper Emma Zmudzinski (Granger, IN) would record eight saves on the night while facing 21 shots.

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's continues their homestand on Saturday as they host the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at 1pm. The Belles will also be celebrating Senior Day against the Pointers. They conclude the home stand on Tuesday, April 1, when they host Albion College in their MIAA opener.