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NEWARK, Del. - - For the first time since 2015, the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team will advance to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Semifinals, defeating sixth seeded Chestnut Hill, 18-3, in the First Round on Tuesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
With the win, the Wildcats are now 11-7 overall, accounting for the most wins in a single season in program history. The 2010 Wildcats went 10-8 overall on the year.
The defense dominated for the third seeded Wildcats (11-7), only allowing 17 shots in the game and forcing Chestnut Hill (5-10) into 26 turnovers. They held the Griffins to a 7-for-21 performance on clear attempts for the game.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 4-0 lead with two goals each from Lashay Ross and Brooke Siebert, and continued to lead, 5-2, with 15:23 to play in the first half. Lashay Ross then started another 5-0 run for the Wildcats that spanned the rest of the half, as Taylor Lambeth scored the final two before the break to give the Wildcats a 10-2 lead.
The continued for the Wildcats into the second half, as Delaney Steele scored her lone goal of the game, starting the second half off with the first six goals for the Wildcats. Maddie Day put the Wildcats up 12-2 with a man-advantage goal before Brooke Siebert scored a man-down down for the 13-2 lead. Lashay Ross, Maris Allen, and Taylor Lambeth all scored in succession to give the Wildcats a 16-2 lead with 8:06 left in regulation.
Maddie Day and Maris Allen then capped the afternoon with back-to-back goals, sending the Wildcats to an 18-3 victory.
Brooke Siebert stuffed the stat sheet on Tuesday, scoring five goals to go with six ground balls, four draw controls, and six caused turnovers. Delaney Steele tied her own single game record with 10 assists, scoring once for 11 points. Ross finished with four goals and five draw controls while Taylor Lambeth and Maddie Day added three goals each.
Valerie Bragg led the defensive unit with four caused turnovers and four ground balls as well. Maddie Day made four stops in the first half before Tori Grubowski made three stops in the second half.
The Wildcats and Jefferson met on March 26 in Philadelphia, with the Rams coming out on top, 13-10. The two will meet again on Friday at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey, with the opening draw scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
