DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Hamline lacrosse team (4-4, 2-0 MWLC) and Loras (5-3, 2-1 MWLC) were two of the final three undefeated teams in the MWLC heading into Sunday's contest, but the Pipers came up with a big 16-7 win to maintain their lead in the conference standings.
 
HU will play the other undefeated team, Augsburg, this Wednesday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m.
 
In today's game senior Ashley Hessler continued to be a strong offensive presence, tallying nine points for the Pipers with five goals and four assists. The nine points was one away from tying the program's single game points record, which was set last season against Loras by Kalley Elwell. In addition to leading the team in points, Hessler also caused four turnovers in the win.
 
Seniors Maria Lewis and Maya Hernandez also contributed in a significant way, scoring three times each. Lewis added two assists as well to end with five points and led the team in draw controls with six.
 
Sophomore Taryn Leonard had a pair of goals and first year Kendra Haselow helped out on the draw, nabbing five on the day.
 
As a team, the Pipers held a 34-21 edge in shots and won 15 of the 25 draw controls.
 
Lewis got the Pipers on the board first, scoring when HU was down a player on a free position shot five minutes into the game. The Duhawks would answer less than a minute later to tie it up on a free position shot of their own and would take over the lead at 2-1 after 10 minutes of play.
 
Goals from Hessler and sophomore Chole Herbst put Hamline ahead again at 3-2 and a goal from Hernandez 20 seconds after Herbst's goal made it 4-2. Leonard would get the next two goals for HU, as Loras scored in between to make it 6-3. Hessler and Hernandez scored the final two goals of the half, helping the Pipers take an 8-3 lead into the break.
 
Hernandez scored again within the first two minutes of the second half, but the Duhawks would get the next two goals, getting the game within four (9-5) with 20 minutes still left to play. The Pipers responded, though, scoring the next six straight goals to lead 15-5 with only minutes to go. Loars would get two goals within the final minutes, but it was too late as Lewis scored one final time to help HU to a 16-7 win.