NEWARK, Del. - - Georgian Court raced out to an early lead and the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team could never catch up, falling, 18-8, in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup on Thursday at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Lions (7-2, 4-0 CACC) scored the game's first five goals and used another 4-0 stretch in the first half to lead by as many as 10-2 in the opening 30 minutes. Georgian Court also scored the first three goals of the second half before the Wildcats (3-4, 3-2 CACC) attempted to mount a comeback. But it was too little too late, as they could only get to as close as seven goals twice in the second half.
Maddie Day put the Wildcats on the board with 15:56 to play in the first half and Amelie Gamache made it 6-2 with 10:33 left before the break. But the Lions rattled off the next four goals in a three-minute stretch, taking a 10-2 lead with 4:08 left. Maddie Day then scored her second of the half with 1:41 to play, but neither team could get a shot off the rest of the half as the Lions led 10-3 at the break.
Georgian Court came out of the break and scored the first three goals of the break, while the Wildcats could only get one shot off during the same span.
But after Tori Grubowski made a stop, the Wildcats the other way and Lauren Gresham's second shot beat Alexis Hahn. Brooke Siebert than scooped up the ensuing draw and Maddie Day made it quick back-to-back goals to bring the Wildcats to within 13-5 with 17:01 left in regulation. Grubowski caused a turnover at one end and Brooke Siebert scored at the other end to make it three-straight goals for the Wildcats, trailing 13-6 with 12:37 left.
But the Lions answers with back-to-back goals of their own, regaining momentum and a 15-6 lead. Taylor Lambeth and Maddie Day again made it a seven-goal deficit with 4:02 to play, but the Lions won the ensuing draw and scored a quick goal, and two more, to put a stamp on the CACC victory.
Maddie Day led the Wildcats with four goals while Taylor Lambeth scored a goal and added a team high three assists for four points. Brooke Siebert and Amelie Gamache recorded a goal and an assist each while Maris Allen chipped in with two assists. Lauren Gresham was the final goal scorer for the Wildcats with one goal.
The Lions outshot the Wildcats, 37-14, while also securing more draws, 21-7, in the game.
The Wildcats travel to Caldwell on Saturday as they begin their final stretch of the regular season. The opening draw is set for 1:00 p.m. in North Jersey.