NEWARK, Del. - - Kutztown spoiled the 2023 Wilmington University women's lacrosse home opener, 19-8, on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (4-2) closed the gap to 7-5 early in the second quarter, but the Golden Bears (2-0) scored five of the final six goals of the second quarter and took a 12-6 lead into the halftime break. The Wildcats committed 26 turnovers, allowing the Bears to outshot the home team, 44-16.
Makenzie Stritzinger put the Wildcats on the board with 11:33 to play in the first quarter and then Amelie Gamache and Ella Royer scored back-to-back goals to bring the Wildcats to within 4-3 with 6:25 to play in the quarter. But the Golden Bears tallied the final two marks of the opening frame to lead, 6-3, after the first quarter.
The teams traded the first three goals of the second quarter, with Ella Royer bringing the Wildcats to within 7-5 with 11:30 to play. But Kutztown went on a 3-0 run to lead 10-5 with 3:52, and then scored back-to-back goals to end the half and lead, 12-6, going into the break.
The Wildcats wouldn't find the back of the net until 7:20 to play in the third quarter, and Riley MxQuaide rifled one home from the free position spot to make it 14-7. But again, Kutztown had the final say of the quarter, scoring two more before the horn, leading 16-7 going into the final quarter.
Kutztown scored the first three goals of the fourth before Amelie Gamache found the back of the net with 2:17 to play. But it was too little too late as Kutztown won, 19-8.
Ella Royer led the Wildcats with four goals and an assist, adding a game-high seven draws. Amelie Gamache scored two goals with an assist, adding three draw controls. Riley McQuaide and Makenzie Stritzinger each scored a goal while Maddie Day had one assist.
The draw control battle was a fair match, as the Wildcats held a first half advantage, 11-9, but had 15 first half turnovers and Kutztown took advantage.
The Wildcats went 3-2 in their five games in a stretch of 10 days, and now have a week off before facing Millersville in their final nonconference game. The game next Saturday is at Millersville, with a 1:00 p.m. opening draw.