PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - A six-goal difference in the third quarter proved to be too much for the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team, as Jefferson won the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game, 21-12, on Wednesday at Ravenhill Field.
The loss now has the Wildcat (10-5, 6-2 CACC) and Jefferson (7-7, 6-2 CACC) tied in third place in the CACC standings. The Wildcats have two games remaining in the regular season.
Jefferson raced out to a large early lead, despite the Wildcats getting on the board first. Ella Royer scored the game's first goal with 13:00 minute left, but then the Rams rattled off seven consecutive goals to finish the first quarter and lead, 7-1.
But the Wildcats bounced back in the second quarter. Maddie Day, Ella Baynes, and Ella Royer scored in succession to start the second quartet, closing the gap to 7-4. After a Rams goal, the Wildcats received goals from Amelie Gamache and Anastasia Giannoulis to make it an 8-6 ballgame. Ella Royer scored the final goal of the second quarter with 31 seconds left, but the Rams held a 9-7 lead the halftime break.
Jefferson scored the first three goals of the third quarter, reopening a 12-7 lead. The teams traded goals to bring the Wildcats back to within 13-9, but then the Rams scored the next four goals to put the game out of reach 17-9, with 2:06 to play in the third. The Rams took an 18-10 lead into the final frame.
Jefferson again start the fourth quarter with back-to-back goals, opening a 20-10 lead. Amelie Gamache and Maddie Day scored in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Rams won, 21-12.
The Rams held the draw lead, 22-15, leading to a 44-24 advantage in shots. The Wildcats committed 21 turnovers, including eight on clear attempts (13-for-21).
Ella Royer led the offense with four goals while Ella Baynes scored three goals. Amelie Gamache had two goals two assists, and five draws while Maddie Day finished with two goals. Anastasia Giannoulis scored a goal and added an assist and Makenzie Stritzinger had an assist and four draws.
The Wildcats look to rebound on Saturday as they travel to Connecticut to take on Post. The first draw is set for 1:00 p.m. at LaMoy Field.