NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's lacrosse team earned a 14-10 victory in a hard fought Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division game against the Holy Family University Tigers at the WU Athletics Complex Monday afternoon.
The Wildcats were first on the scoreboard within two minutes of the opening draw, as Rebekah McCurry scored an unassisted goal with 28:06 showing on the board. The Tigers responded minutes later as Marissa Lawson converted on a free-position shot, recording her only goal of the game.
The Wildcats then had an offensive flurry of goals, starting with Megan Keffer, quickly followed by Ashley Kroll at the 19:26 mark. Keffer netted another on a free-position shot, as McCurry added a fifth for the Wildcats just over a minute later, bringing the Wildcats lead to 5-1 with 16:07 left to play in the first half.
The Tigers responded with two goals from Paige Settar, and Brigit LaRose who earned their first of four each in the game. However, the Wildcat offense continued to put the pressure on as Gabby Spalt netted two more to take the team total to seven with just over eight minutes to play.
LaRose added her second of the game, and the Tigers fourth at 6:46 left in the first half before McCurry ended the scoring in the half with two goals, to take the Wildcats lead to 9-4 into the break.
LaRose began the Tigers scoring in the second half, recording her third of the game. Settar followed and made the most of a man-up opportunity for the Tigers, as Spalt had received a yellow card just seconds before. Scoring was back and forth between the two teams as Kroll, and Katie Spence put another two on the board for the Wildcats halfway through the second stanza. Erin Harmer responded for the Tigers at the 13:50 minute mark to bring the scoring to 11-7 in favor of the Wildcats.
The last 10 minutes of the game showed high intensity, as the Tigers scored a trio of goals, taking the Tigers to within two of the Wildcats, 12-10 with only five minutes to play.
In the final minutes, Spence took the opportunity to add her second of the game, and Maddie Hewitt completed the goals for the day, solidifying the win with 1:13 left in the game.
LaRose and Settar were the high scorers for the Tigers with four goals apiece. But it was the Wildcats' McCurry who led all scorers with five goals on the day. Kroll, Spence, Spalt, and Keffer each recorded two more for the Wildcats.
The game was closely contested and the stats proved it as the Tigers edged the Wildcats in shots, 32-30, and 31-27 in ground balls. The physical contest produced 88 total fouls on the afternoon, including five yellow cards.
Corinne Dries made more saves for the Wildcats, 14-10 over Tiger goalkeeper Grace Deckert. Dries made nine stops in the second half to keep the Wildcats in front.
The win takes the Wildcats to 4-1 in the CACC; a vital two-game lead over the Tigers' 2-3 CACC record. The CACC Tournament takes the top two teams from each division.
The Wildcats are back in action on Wednesday when they host Dominican under the lights at Red Lion Christian Academy. The opening draw is scheduled for 6 p.m.
This press release was written by Sporting Information Intern Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins.
