NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's lacrosse team got off to a fast start in its Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over Holy Family, 19-12, on Wednesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats won their fourth CACC game in a row and now carry an 8-4 overall record and 4-1 in CACC play in the final third of the season.
Wilmington started fast on Wednesday, scoring the first four goals of the game. Maddie Day had two of the first four goals and then Makenzie Stritzinger scored on a free position shot to close the quarter as the Wildcats led 5-2.
Another three-goal stretch early in the second quarter gave the Wildcats an 8-3 lead, with goals by Ella Royer, Maddie Day, and Ella Baynes. Holy Family (4-9, 3-3 CACC) closed the gap to 9-6, with 7:19 to play in the second quarter, but then the Wildcats scored the final two goals of the half, including Maddie Day's fourth of the game with 26 seconds left before the half.
Lauren Gresham scored back-to-back goals for the Wildcats late in the third quarter, pushing the Wildcats to a 16-8 lead with 4:35 to play. Holy Family answered with a goal with only three ticks left in the frame, but the Wildcats still carried a 16-9 lead into the fourth.
The Tigers scored back-to-back goals to make it a 17-11 game with 7:18 to play, but Ella Baynes scored off a feed from Amelie Gamache to keep the Tigers at an arm's length. Makenzie Stritzinger scored the final goal of the game to settle the score at 19-12.
Ella Royer led the team with eight points, scoring four goals while adding four assists. Ella Baynes led the way with five goals while Maddie Day finished with four goals. Makenzie Stritzinger scored twice, added an assist, and led the Wildcats with 12 draw controls. Amelie Gamache scored once, dished out three assists, had four caused turnovers, three ground balls, and five draws in the win.
Katie Vindigni stood tall in net for the Wildcats on Wednesday, making 12 saves on 24 shots.
The Wildcats went 21-for-26 on clear chances in the game while outshooting the Tigers, 43-35, and scooping up more draws, 19-16. The Wildcats also converted on seven of their nine free position shots.
The Wildcats take to the road for their next CACC contest, as they play the newest addition to the conference in Bridgeport on Tuesday. The opening draw is set for 4:00 p.m. in Connecticut.
