The Wilmington University women's lacrosse team used a fast start to jump out to a large first half lead, carrying it to a 19-10 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over Chestnut Hill on Wednesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (2-5, 1-1 CACC) scored the first two goals and five of the first six overall to jump out in front of the Griffins (2-5, 0-1 CACC). Chestnut Hill scored back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to as few as two goals in the first half, but the Wildcats ended the first half by scoring the final three marks, taking a 12-5 lead into the break.
Wilmington against started fast out of halftime, scoring the first two and four of the first five goals in the second stanza to take a commanding 16-6 lead with 17:44 remaining in regulation.
The Wildcats used eight different goal scorers on Wednesday and showcasing the offensive spread was following back-to-back goals by the Griffins to pull to within 5-3 with 13:59 left in the first half. Gabby Spalt started a string of three straight goals by three different players, as Sara LeBrun and La'Dae Boykin added tallies to put the Wildcats back up 8-3 with 8:45 showing on the clock.
Ashley Kroll started a string of three straight to end the half, followed by Boykin and Megan Keffer, putting the Wildcats ahead 12-5. Rebekah McCurry got in on the scoring action to start the second half, while Keffer scored again for the Wildcats making it five straight marks for the home team spanning the halves.
LeBrun buried a nice feed from McCurry with 17:44 to play to give the Wildcats a 10-goal advantage, seizing control against their CACC rivals. The teams traded goals the rest of the contest before resting on the final 19-10 outcome.
The Wildcats led in most categories for the game, including 33-27 in shots and 33-22 in ground balls, while also turning the ball over less, 26-17. The only category in which the Griffins held the advantage was in draw controls, 21-9.
LeBrun led the Wildcats with four goals on seven shots while Kroll and Boykin added three goals and one assist each. McCurry finished with two goals and two assists while Keffer, Maddie Hewitt, and Katie Spence added two goals each. Spalt rounded out the Wilmington scoring with one goal and two assists.
Corinne Dries recorded 11 stops in goal for the victory while Katie Joe Lang made eight stops in goal for the Griffins.
The Wildcats head to East Coast Conference foe Molloy on Friday before returning to CACC play at Post on Saturday. Friday's nonconference matchup at Molloy is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.
