STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point women's lacrosse team (0-4) endured a closely-contested loss against Elmhurst (2-4) in the home opener, 8-6.
 
The Pointers got on the board first in the opening quarter with a man-up goal from Allison Talir (St. Louis, Mo./Pattonville Senior), giving the Pointers an early 1-0 lead. Courtney Leising (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) assisted in Talir's now four-game streak of scoring at least one goal. The Bluejays entered a quick 4-0 run before Marissa Van Dyke (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Southwest) snapped the scoring outburst with a swift solo goal before the first ended.
 
Both sides were met with a slow and sloppy start to the second quarter as the first goal was scored with 9:49 remaining in the half, scored by the Pointers' Leising to shave the Bluejays lead to 4-3. She tacked on her first goal of the game after causing a turnover during an Elmhurst clear attempt. Each team would trade goals late in the second, including Katie Stanius (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake) helping the Pointers to remain within striking distance heading into the half, down 5-4.
 
In the third, the Pointers were shutout with the Bluejays jumping out to an 8-4 lead, scoring three in the quarter.
 
The Pointers attempted a late comeback in the fourth after Van Dyke tacked on two goals in the middle of the quarter. Her first goal was earned during a free-position opportunity, with her second goal being a solo job at the 8:01 mark. The Pointers applied urgent pressure on both sides of the field but ultimately couldn't find the back of the net for the remaining eight minutes.
 
Van Dyke led UWSP in points and goals with three each while picking up a career-high seven groundballs and seven caused turnovers. Leising had an impactful day on both ends with one goal, one assist, six groundballs, three caused turnovers and five draw controls. Stanius added her third goal of the season with two groundballs and one caused turnover.
 
UWSP goalkeeper Emily Griege (Chesterfield, Mo./Westminster Christian Academy) made the start in goal with 9 saves in net.
 
The Pointers will head back on the road to Chicago to play Illinois Institute of Technology on Saturday (Mar. 30). Opening draw is set for 3:30 p.m.