NEWARK, Del. - - After fighting back to tie the game in the fourth quarter, the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team saw Molloy storm back and take the 14-9 nonconference game in the Wildcats home opener on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.
Trailing 8-3, the Wildcats (2-3) scored the final four goals of the third quarter and then tied it, 8-8, with the first goal of the fourth quarter. But the Lions (1-6) retaliated with the next four goals to take control of the finale frame.
Ella Royer tied the game, 2-2, with the first goal of the second quarter. Molloy then went on a run, scoring the next four goals to take a 6-2 lead with 4:22 to play in the half. Royer found the. Back of the net again with 1:47 to play, as the Wildcats went into the halftime break trailing 6-3.
Molloy started the third quarter with the first two goals, taking an 8-3 lead with 7:32 to play. Ella Royer started the comeback with a goal from Alea Javorowsky with 4:47 to play in the quarter. She then took the ensuing draw pushed it forward to Javorowsky, got it back and scored again just 29 seconds later to make it 8-5. Royer scored again with 57 seconds left and then Michaella Cook scored from a tough angle with 23 seconds left and all of a sudden the Wildcats were with 8-7 after three quarters.
Starting with possession because of a penalty, the Wildcats scored right away to start the fourth quarter, as Anastasia Giannoulis tied the game with 14:27 on the clock.
The Wildcats had a chance to take the lead with an offensive possession, but a turnover found the stick of Megan Rugolo of Molloy and she raced end-to-end and scored, putting the Lions back in front, 9-8, with 11:42 to play. The Lions would score three more times, taking a 12-8 lead with 6:02 to play.
Allison Schhiavone came up with a save on a free position shot and Alea Javorowsky scored at the other end, ending the run and getting the Wildcats back to within 12-9. But the nail in the coffin was a Molloy getting the ensuing draw and scoring on a free position shot with 1:23 to play, wasting time and putting points on the board.
Ella Royer led the Wildcats with six goals, adding six draws, two caused turnovers, and two ground balls. Alea Javorowsky scored a goal and added two assists while Sophie Shive dished out two assists as well. Eden Ward collected four draws while Caitlyn Welker had three draws and two ground balls. Ashleigh Lawry made seven saves in the first half while Allison Schiavone made five stops int eh second half.
The Wildcats are off until next Saturday when they host Bloomsburg in another nonconference game. Saturday's game is set for 11:00 a.m. at the WU Athletics Complex with a men's game to follow.
