NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's lacrosse team jumped out to an early 4-1 lead on Tuesday, but Shepherd answered with 11 of the next 12 goals to gain control and take the nonconference game, 18-8, at the WU Athletics Complex.
Playing in their final tune-up before the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference portion of their schedule begins, the Wildcats (3-5) started off hot against the Rams (3-3), turning a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead with 24:42 left in the first half.
Delaney Steele got the scoring started for the Wildcats with a goal from Taylor Lambeth before Lashay Ross gave the Wildcats the lead, 2-1, with 26:57 showing on the clock. Maddie Day kept the run going with a goal from Delaney Steele before Lashy Ross added a free position goal to give the Wildcats a 4-1 lead.
But the Rams fought back and scored the next five goals of the game, regaining a 6-4 lead with 15:53 to play in the half. Brooke Siebert ended the run with a goal in front from a feed from Lashay Ross with 14:13 on the clock, but the Rams scored the final six goals of the half, including one with two seconds left before the break, to head into halftime with a 12-5 lead.
The run extended into the second half, as the Rams scored the first three goals out of the break, making it a 9-0 lead to grab a 15-5 lead with 21:18 to play. Taylor Lambeth ended the Wilmington drought with her first goal of the day, but the Rams regained a double-digit lead with back-to-back goals, 17-6.
Taylor Lambeth and Lashay Ross led the Wildcats with two goals and an assist each while Brooke Siebert scored two goals. Delaney Steele scored once and added two assists while Maddie Day scored the other goal.
Hannah Tornatore led the defense with four ground balls while Mikailla Spencer had two caused turnovers. Maris Allen led the team with five draw controls.
Maddie Hurm came off the bench and made 11 saves in 23 minutes.
The Wildcats have a week to prepare for their CACC opener next week, as they head to Jefferson next Tuesday afternoon. The opening draw is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Revenhill Field.