In a tight matchup where both teams exchanged the lead several times, the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team was able to hold on to secure a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference win over Nyack, 18-15, on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (5-9, 4-2 CACC) would play catch-up early on in a close contest as Nyack (3-9, 1-5 CACC) would strike first with a goal by Nicole Pikerson with 29:30 left in regulation. The Wildcats would answer right back with an unassisted goal by Gabby Spalt with 27:06 left in regulation. This would set the tone for the remainder of the half.
The Wildcats would break 2-2 tie as Megan Keffer scored with 21:26 left in regulation, which was also the 100th goal for her career. She is the sixth Wildcat to reach the 100-career goal plateau since the inception of the program in 2007. Rebekah McCurry, another player who has surpassed the 100-goal milestone earlier this season, assisted on the goal.
The Wildcats took a 4-2 lead before Nyack came back and scored four straight to regain a 6-4 lead with 14:10 left in the first half. Goals by Morgan Tildon and Katie Spence gave the Wildcats a 9-8 lead with 2:33 left in the half but the Warriors were able to go into the halftime break with a 10-9 lead, getting back-to-back goals in a matter of 43 seconds.
After the first half, the Wildcats would continue their back and forth fight with the Warriors until a goal by Madeline Hewitt at 14:28 allowed the Wildcats to break the 13-13 tie and sparked a 5-0 run which would help them secure the win on the afternoon. Goals from Keffer, Boykin (2), and Hewitt capped the run to put the Wildcats ahead 18-13.
The Warriors would not go without a fight however, as Victoria Silvers scored with 1:17 left and Lauren Lebo would put one in with 14 seconds left in regulation. Unfortunately time was not on Nyack's side as the Wildcats were able to hold on and secure the conference win as time ran out.
La'Dae Boykin led the attack for the Wildcats with five goals, as well as an assist. Spalt, Keffer, and Hewitt all tallied three goals each in the contest. Morgan Tildon contributed with two goals, and Rebekah McCurry and Katie Spence each added a goal as well. McCurry also led the way with five assists, seven draw controls, and five caused turnovers on the day.
On the day, the Wildcats outshot the Warriors, 45-20, as well as scooped up more groundballs, 35-21, and surrendered less turnovers, 14-26, which would help the Wildcats secure the win.
Goalkeeper Corinne Dries had four saves on Saturday, which turned out to be vital for the Wildcats during such a tight contest. The Warriors' Madeline Barbarino made 17 saves on the afternoon.
The Wildcats look to continue their winning ways as they are on the road in CACC action against Caldwell on Tuesday at the Verona Community Center. The first draw is set for a 12 p.m. start time.
Press Release written by Sports Information Intern Jake Weitzenecker
