NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's lacrosse team posted its largest margin of victory in its nine year existence, defeating the District of Columbia, 21-0, on Tuesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The shutout was the second of the season for the Wildcats (7-7 overall) and fifth in program history, as they also blanked Caldwell in late March. The 21-goal differential beat the team's previous record margin of 19, set three times prior and last in 2012 at West Virginia Wesleyan.
The Wildcats jumped out on the Firebirds (0-8 overall) early and often, as they scored 15 goals in the opening half, five of which came in the opening 10 minutes. The Wildcats then put seven shots in the net in the next ten minutes finishing with three goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half.
Ashley Kroll scored the first three goals of the game for the Wildcats, getting assists from a different player on each goal. Maddie Hewitt dished out the first assists, followed Penelope Fantis and Rebekah McCurry.
Kroll scored all of her team high four goals in the first half, adding two assists on the afternoon to finish with a team high six points. Hewitt also scored four goals in the first half while adding her assist for five points on the afternoon.
Graduate defender Rachel Burley got in the scoring column on the year, scoring the team's 15th and final goal of the first half. Burley's goal was the 14th different goal scorer for the Wildcats this season.
Fantis collected a hat trick as well on Tuesday, adding an assist for four points. Megan Keffer scored a pair of goals while adding three assists for five points, again leading the team with five caused turnovers. Fantis finished with a game high seven ground balls for the Wildcats, while McCurry collected six draws on the afternoon.
Corinne Dries recorded three saves, including the final one on a free-position shot with 1:25 to play to secure the shutout, in the victory. The Firebirds' Dani Falco made six stops in goal for the visitors.
The Wildcats play an important game on Wednesday at Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division rival Chestnut Hill on Thursday to keep their playoff hopes alive. The game in Philadelphia will be under the lights with a 7 p.m. opening draw.
