LAFAYETTE HILL, Pa. - - A second half comeback ran out of steam as the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team dropped a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest under the lights at Chestnut Hill, 18-15, on Monday night at Victory Field.
In the loss, La'Dae Boykin set numerous records, setting the single game mark with 10 goals, tying the single game mark with 11 points, breaking the single season goals and points record, and became the program's all-time leading point getter with 234 career points.
Not to be outdone, the Wildcats (5-9, 3-4 CACC) Lashay Ross set a new single game record as well, scooping up 14 draw controls to break a record of 13 that she tied twice earlier this season.
But the Wildcats fell behind quickly on Monday night, finding themselves down in a 5-0 hole. They finally got on the board with 20:08 left in the first half and the Griffins (8-5, 5-2 CACC) held a 7-2 lead with 16:57 showing on the clock.
Boykin scored three goals in a four-goal run for the Wildcats, but the Griffins scored the final three goals of the half to lead, 10-6, at the break.
Trailing 12-8, Boykin led the Wildcats on a 3-0 run to get to within 12-11 with 22:39 left in regulation. The Griffins ended the Wildcats run with a goal, but the visitors answered with goals from Ross and Boykin to knot the game at 13-13 with 16:45 to play.
The Griffins regained momentum after the Wildcats fought back to tie the game, scoring the game's next three goals to regain a 16-13 lead with 9:08 remaining.
A last ditch effort saw the Wildcats score back-to-back goals from Ross and Sam Foster, but still straight, 16-15, with 4:59 to play. The Griffins won the ensuing draw and quickly scored to regain a 17-15 lead.
Ross won the draw for the Wildcats and the visitor had a free position attempt with 3:11 left, but Mikailla Spencer's shot was saved while Ross's follow up shot was high and the Wildcats never got another shot off in the game.
Boykin scored 10 goals while adding an assist for a recording tying 11 points. She tied Liz Case's mark against Nyack on April 6, 2015. Her 10 goals broke the record set by Sara LeBrun against Chestnut Hill on April 21, 2015.
Her 11 points helped her surpass Danielle Niccoli's all-time career record of 232 points, as Boykin now has 234 with two games left in the regular season.
Ross finished with three goals and two assists while contributing 14 draw controls in the loss. Taylor Lambeth scored a goal and added an assist while Sam Foster scored the final goal for the Wildcats. Mikailla Spencer led the team with six ground balls while Valerie Bragg led the team with two caused turnovers.
The Wildcats are in a tie for fifth place in the CACC standings with two games to play. The top six teams advance to the CACC Tournament. They square off against Dominican on Wednesday at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening draw is set for 4:00 p.m.