Goals by Minnie Bittell and Kaitlyn Bridger set the tone early for the Wildcats (11-3 overall) as they would go on to score eight times in the first quarter alone to double up the visitors, 8-4, entering the second.

NMU maintained that dominance throughout, never losing the lead and even forcing a running clock due to their large lead in the fourth quarter.

Bittell led Northern with nine points on four goals and five assists, matching her career high in points for a single game.

Bridger and teammates Josie Lakosky and Laine Stanton had record days as well.

Northern Michigan University’s Josie Lakosky prepares to take a free position shot in front of the Concordia netminder looking to extend the Wildcats lead during their college women’s lacrosse game played against Concordia-St. Paul at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

Lakosky not only led all players with six goals, but hit her career high with that number along with seven points.

Bridger matched her single-game career best in goals with five, while Stanton also had a career day with four goals and five points.

Northern’s Avery Lorinser chipped in with one goal to round out the team’s goal scoring.

Although the Wildcats seemed to have little problem getting on the scoreboard, NMU head coach Lindsey Majkrzak was more focused on what could have been done better on defense.

“I think we just had some mistakes that we’re not used to making and that are below what our standard for defense needs to be for us to be successful for the rest of the year,” she said. “We have such a great group of defenders and that’s why my standards are so high for them.”

She emphasized the importance of composure and sticking with their game plan against an aggressive opponent like Concordia-St. Paul.

“We function best when we are composed and engaged with each other, instead of other teams or refs and that sort of thing,” the coach said. “I wanted to just bring us, back into us, refocus on our own game and remind us that our intensity comes from with what we’re doing, not with what they’re doing.”

As the team prepares for the road half of its GLIAC season, followed by the conference tournament in early May, Majkrzak emphasized the need to maintain intensity and toughness.

She stressed the familiarity of upcoming opponents as a potential advantage, allowing the Wildcats to better anticipate and counter their strategies.

Northern’s final three regular-season games come against each of the GLIAC’s other three teams — at 5 p.m. Friday at Davenport, at noon Sunday at Grand Valley State and at 1 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 27, at Concordia-St. Paul.

The GLIAC tourney is scheduled for May 3-5 at times and a site to be determined.

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.