The third time is the charm.
 
The John Carroll University women's lacrosse team finally outlasted Mother Nature and did not disappoint with a 20-10 win over Houghton on Saturday afternoon inside Don Shula Stadium.

"I'm really proud of the team effort today," said head coach Rachel Dell. "There is no better feeling than a win that comes as a result of everyone on the team contributing to our success and working hard work."
 
Today's game was the third attempt for the program to have its first varsity contest.
 
The first attempt, last Saturday against St. Vincent, was cancelled due to heavy snowfall in University Heights, Ohio. The second, yesterday, was postponed to today due to cold temperatures in the area.
 
The Blue Streaks did not disappoint having an eight-day delay for their debut. John Carroll would shoot 20-for-25 for the game.

The 80 percent shooting clip would prove to be key in the game. Outside of shooting percentage, the two sides would finish with near-identical marks in shots, ground balls and draw controls.
 
Grace Curatolo scored the first goal in program history less than two minutes into the contest. The freshman went on to have a hand in half of the Blue Streaks' goals with four goals and six assists.
 
While John Carroll led wire-to-wire, it was a late push that put the game away.                    
 
Houghton's Chandler Jones made the score 11-6 with just under 25 minutes remaining in the contest. The goal marked the third for Houghton in a 91-second span.
 
The Blue Streaks responded with seven unanswered goals to put the game out of reach. Curatolo led the way with three goals and an assist during the stretch.
 
Annamae Bolen and Gina Vilsack each added four goals in the contest. Defensively, Kaley LaForce and Emma Schapp each finished with four ground balls. Meghan Harte recorded six of JCU's 18 draw controls.
 
Mary Jo Murino picked up eight saves in the contest. The freshman stepped up in the second half with seven of the saves coming over the final 30 minutes.

"This was two years and two weeks in the making," said Dell. "I think I am as happy with the win as I am that we finally played the game. A new chapter started today ... the preparation is done and now we are playing and executing."
 
John Carroll heads to Texas to take on Southwestern University in an 8 p.m. Eastern contest on Thursday, March 5.