DOVER, Del. - - Delaware State scored the final four goals of the first half, getting enough separation to lead them to a 22-13 victory over the Wilmington University women's lacrosse game on Tuesday night at Alumni Stadium.
The Wildcats (0-2) had to fight from behind from the early going, going down 4-0, and losing the draw control battle, 23-13, to start a lot of possessions on defense. Delaware State (1-4) outshot the Wildcats, 43-17, in the contest.
Taylor Lambeth put the Wildcats on the board first with 22:38 left in the half with back-to-back goals. Brooke Siebert score again to cut the deficit to 5-3 with 17:51 to play. The teams traded back-to-back goals as Lambeth secured a first half hat trick and Makenzie Stritzinger got on the board as well, 7-5.
Brooke Siebert converted a free position shot and Maris Allen added a man-advantage goal off a pass from Amelie Gamache to bring the Wildcats to within 10-8 with 4:58 to play in the half. But the Hornets took over from there, scoring three goals in a span of 61 seconds, then adding a final goal with 22 seconds left before the buzzer to head into the break leading 14-8.
The teams traded goals ending with Maddie Day getting on the scoreboard on another man-advantage opportunity, bringing the Wildcats to within 16-11 with 14:44 to play. But once again the Hornets answered with a run of their own, scoring six straight to take a commanding 22-11 lead with 8:46 left.
Lambeth led the Wildcats with five goals on seven shots. Brooke Siebert scored two goals while adding an assist, six draws, and three ground balls. Maddie Day scored twice as well. Katie Vindigni made six second half saves while Tori Grubowski made five stops.
The Wildcats have a week off before beginning Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play next Wednesday at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening draw is set for 3:00 p.m.