ORANGEBURG, N.Y. - - A slow first half start doomed the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team, as Dominican jumped out to a 4-0 lead before securing the 14-6 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory at the DC Lacrosse Field.
The Chargers (6-5, 6-2 CACC) used a 6-1 halftime lead to propel them into the second half, scoring eight goals to put the Wildcats (2-12, 2-6 CACC) away. The win was the fifth straight for Dominican, having not lost since a 13-4 decision at Wesleyan (Conn.) on March 28.
Rebekah McCurry tried to bring the Wildcats back into the conversation in the second half, scoring back-to-back goals in 16 seconds to bring the visitors to within 8-3 with 24:42 left in regulation. The sophomore scored her second goal of the game on a free-position shot, then took the ensuing draw and went right to the goal herself for the hat trick, her 23rd goal of the season.
But the Wildcats were unable to harness the momentum created by McCurry, as Dominican scored the next six goals over a 10 minute span to take a commanding 14-3 lead with 13:35 to play.
Molly Taylor became the second Wildcat to score on Saturday, taking a feed from Liz Case for her 12th goal of the year with 9:30 remaining. Case then scored her own goal, converting on a free position shot for her 14th on the year to bring the Wildcats to within 14-5. Ali Kern rounded out the Wildcat scoring with an eight-meter opportunity, burying her first goal of the season with 1:34 to play.
The Chargers were led by Christina Brennan who scored four goals on nine shots while grabbing five ground balls and gaining six possessions for the home team off draws. Allison Smithwick also registered a hat trick for the Chargers, scoring three goals and adding two assists for five points. Emily Murray, Traci-Joan Muniz and Gina Sparaco scored two goals each for Dominican.
McCurry led the Wildcats with four draws while Megan Keffer controlled three. McCurry, Keffer and Brittany Rhodes led the team with two ground balls each.
Kaitlyn Hall recorded 12 saves on Saturday, including seven in the second half. Dominican's Brittany Kiernan needed to make eight saves, five in the first half, for the win.
Wilmington goes from playing the North Division leaders to playing the South Division leaders in back-to-back games. The Wildcats head to Philadelphia on Wednesday for another CACC matchup. The opening draw is scheduled for 4:40 p.m.