NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's lacrosse team pulled away late to earn a 24-12 victory over Post to start Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (2-5, 1-0 CACC) led 16-12 with 17 minutes left in regulation, but rattled off the final eight goals of the game to pull away late against the Eagles (1-7, 1-1 CACC).
The Wildcats were led by La'Dae Boykin and Lashay Ross offensively, as they each scored six goals and added one assist for seven points on the day. The Wildcats were able to extend the lead in the second half due to an 11-7 advantage on the draw in the second stanza. Christina Ziegler led the team with seven draws on the afternoon.
Wilmington scored the first four goals of the game, but the Eagles answered back with three straight to claw to within 4-3 with 17:09 before the break. Boykin fired back with back-to-back free position shots, leading the Wildcats to a 5-1 run to gain a 9-4 lead with 10:54 to play in the first half.
Post closed to within 9-6 with back-to-back goals, but the Wildcats closed the first half on a 4-1 run, getting the final goal of the half from Ross with 1:04 left. The Wildcats took a 13-7 lead into the break.
The Eagles opened the second half with the first two goals and three of the first four to get to within 14-10 just 5:35 into the frame. Alexis Miller and Boykin scored back-to-back goals to extend the lead back out to 16-10, but the Eagles wouldn't go away, scoring two straight again to get the game to 16-12 with 17:18 showing on the clock.
That is when the Wildcats took over.
Marisa Parker started the eight-goal run with her first of the game with 15:29 showing on the clock. Taylor Lambeth, Ross, Parker again, and Boykin followed to make it 21-12 with 10:16 to play. Ross put the Wildcats ahead by 10 goals before Parker and Lambeth finished off the scoring for the 24-12 victory.
The Wildcats outshot the Eagles, 45-27, while also earning more draws, 21-16. The Wildcats scooped up 25 ground balls while also going 15-for-19 on clear opportunities. Wilmington went 6-for-10 on free position chances while Post went 3-for-8.
Maddie Hurm made nine saves in goal for the Wildcats while Noreen Donnelly made 13 stops for the Eagles.
The Wildcats remain in CACC play with their next contest, as they head to Holy Family on Tuesday afternoon. The game will be played on the campus of Bryn Athyn College at General Ronald K. Nelson Field. Opening draw is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
