NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's lacrosse team led wire-to-wire to win a non-conference contest, 16-13, against in-state rivals Delaware State University at the WU Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Delaware State (0-5 overall) was first on the scoreboard, however, scoring just over a minute into the contest, as freshman Megan Cord scored her only goal of the contest. The Hornets continued to put the pressure on the Wildcats (2-1 overall) early, scoring another two goals to take a 3-0 lead.
Wilmington finally got on the board with 24:43 left in the half as junior Katie Spence answered with an unassisted goal. The first goal spurred the Wildcats' offense into a mini run, as junior Maddie Hewitt scored her lone goal of the game, followed by back-to-back free position goals by Megan Keffer, giving the Wildcats an early 4-3 lead.
The Hornets didn't surrender, however, as freshman Emily Etkins responded with her own free position shot to tie the game at 4-4. But Keffer put the home team back in front two minutes later with her third straight goal, followed by a goal from Rebekah McCurry with 11 minutes remaining in the first half. Keffer once again added to the Wildcats lead, scoring her fourth goal of the game a minute later for the 7-4 Wilmington lead.
After a single goal from the Hornets, the Wildcats rattled off another three consecutive goals to end the first half as Gabby Spalt got in on the scoring, tallying goals sandwiched around another mark by McCurry. The Wildcats went into the halftime break leading 10-5.
But just like the start of the game, Delaware State came out on fire and was the first to start the scoring in the second half. The Hornets scored four straight to pull to within a single run with 22 minutes remaining. The Wildcats never relinquished the lead, however, as another quick succession of goals for the home team by Keffer and McCurry took some pressure off the Wildcats' defense. Shawna Chopko and Spalt also helped, giving the Wildcats its own 4-0 run to extend the lead back out to 14-9 with 9:42 remaining in regulation.
The Hornets wouldn't roll over down the stretch though, as they retaliated with another 4-0 run, getting back to within a single point with 3:51 showing on the clock. Etkins tallied the final three goals of the run, bringing the score to 14-13 in favor of the Wildcats.
McCurry once again responded for the Wildcats, creating some much needed breathing room with her fourth goal of the game with 2:53 to play. Chopko put the game away with her second goal of the game with 10 seconds remaining, bringing the score to its final at 16-13.
The Wildcats outshot the visitors, 47-30, while also beating them in draw controls, 17-14. The Hornets' goalkeeper Rhian Sellers provided some vital saves (19) for her team, but it wasn't enough to stop the Wildcats' offense, led by Keffer's team high five goals.
Wilmington continues its string of early home games next week, as it now hosts St. Thomas Aquinas on Wednesday at the WU Athletics Complex, followed by another home game against Molloy on Friday. The opening draw against STAC on Wednesday is set for 3:00 p.m.
