WATERBURY, Conn. - - The Wilmington University women's lacrosse team held a 7-6 halftime lead in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Semifinals, but No. 2 Jefferson turned the game around with a 10-2 third quarter on Saturday afternoon at LaMoy Field.
The Wildcats finish the 2023 season with a program record 13 wins, finishing 13-6 with a return trip to the CACC Tournament Semifinals.
The Wildcats scored the final goal of the second quarter and the first goal of the third quarter, grabbing an 8-6 lead. But the Rams rattled off five straight goals and 10 of the next 11 goals overall, taking a 16-9 lead into the fourth quarter.
Jefferson then scored the first goal of the fourth and used a 4-0 run to put the game away, 21-10, with 7:14 to play in the contest.
Ella Baynes and Ella Royer scored back-to-back goals to end the first quarter for the Wildcats, grabbing a 3-2 lead after the first. Makenzie Stritzinger scored her first on a free position shot to start the second quarter and then the teams traded goals, with Jefferson tying the game, 5-5, with 6:17 to play. Makenzie Stritzinger scored two of the final three goals in the quarter, giving the Wildcats a 7-6 lead with 1:24 to play in the quarter.
Katie Vindigni made nine saves in the first half while the Wildcats won the draws, 11-4, in the first 30 minutes.
Ella Baynes scored the first goal of the third quarter for the Wildcats, taking an 8-6 lead with 14:32 to play. But then the Rams scored five straight goals to lead 11-8 with 6:30 to play. Maddie Day broke up the momentum with a goal for the Wildcats, but then Jefferson answered by scoring the final five goals of the quarter to take an 17-9. Amelie Gamache scored the next goal for the Wildcats, but then Jefferson rattled off four straight goals to take a 21-11 lead with 4:36 showing on the clock in the quarter.
Makenzie Stritzinger led the Wildcats with four goals and a wile Maddie Day scored three goals as well. Ella Baynes added two goals and an assist while Ella Bayne scored twice and passed out an assist,
Jefferson outshot the Wildcats, 41-31, despite the Wildcats winning the draw control battle, 21-16. Katie Vindigni finished with 15 saves in net for the Wildcats.
Jefferson advances to play No. 1 Dominican in the CACC Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon on the campus of Post University.