NEWARK, Del. - - Using a late first half surge, the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team toppled Nyack, 22-12, in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener on Tuesday at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (3-5, 1-0 CACC) scored seven of the last eight goals of the first half to distance themselves from the Warriors (0-7, 0-1 CACC) in the first conference game of the season for both teams.
Nyack cut the deficit to 4-3 with 18:31 showing on the clock in the first half, but the Wildcats surged ahead with four straight goals to distance themselves. The Wildcats then tallied the final three goals of the half to head into the break leading 11-4.
The Warriors tried to get back into the game with back-to-back goals early in the second half, but the Wildcats answered with another 5-0 run to put a clamp on any such comeback. The Wildcats led 17-6 with 16:33 left in regulation.
Nyack scored five of the next six goals to close the margin, but it was too little too late as the Wildcats finished off the game by scoring four of the final five marks, including Mikailla Spencer's first career goal to cap the scoring.
La'Dae Boykin led the charge with seven goals for the Wildcats, adding an assist for eight points. Three of her goals, as well as her lone assist, came in the first half to set the tone. Megan Card also tallied eight points, scoring six goals while adding two assists. She scored four of her goals in the second half to stave off any Warrior comeback.
Lashay Ross secured a hat trick as well with three goals while Shawna Chopko and Alexis Olsen chipped in with two goals each. Spencer also led the team with five ground balls and five draw controls while Ross and Zameria Jones picked up two caused turnovers.
Maddie Hurm recorded six saves for the win while Alexandria Bisson made nine stops in goal for the Warriors.
The 22 goals are tied for the second most in a game in program history. The last time the team scored at least 22 goals was in the CACC Tournament against Chestnut Hill in 2015. The team scored 23 goals at Holy Family in 2009 and against at West Virginia Wesleyan in 2012 to set the mark.
The Wildcats will look to make it three wins in a while when they travel to Post for another CACC game on Sunday. The opening draw in Waterbury, Connecticut is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.