NEWARK, Del. - - Ella Royer scored three goals in the final 1:39 as the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team overcame a two-goal deficit and defeated Frostburg State, 18-17, on Tuesday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
Ella Royer (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) scored nine goals in the game, with her third goal of the first quarter breaking the Wildcats' all-time scoring record with her 195-career goal. She broke Maddie Day's record of 194 career goals set in from 2019-2023. Royer now has 201 career goals, the only Wildcat to reach the double century mark.
Tuesday was a back-and-forth game, with Frostburg State (3-6) taking as large as a three-goal lead in the second quarter. After the Wildcats (4-3) tied the game, 5-5, the Bobcats scored three of the final four goals of the first quarter to take an 8-6 lead in the second.
Anastasia Giannoulis scored the first goal of the second but then the Bobcats scored the next two to take their largest lead, 10-7, with 6:56 to play before the half. Ella Royer scored back-to-back goals and then Tristan Holdsworth tied the game, 10-10, with 3:06 to play. But the Bobcats answered right back, scoring two goals in a 16 second span to take a 12-10 lead into the halftime break.
Goals form Michaella Cook and Mia Schultz tied the game out of the second half gates, and then the Wildcats took their first lead of the game with goals from Gia Boccio and Ella Royer, 14-13.
Alea Javorowsky gave the Wildcats a 15-13 lead with the first goal of the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats didn't back down. Neila Haney scored three straight goals for the Bobcats, taking the lead, 16-15, with 3:51 to play. Another Bobcat goal made it 17-15 with 2:57 on the clock.
The Wildcats won the ensuing draw but two shots by the Wildcats couldn't find the back of the net. The Bobcats turned the ball over the on the clear attempt, however, giving the Wildcats life again. Ella Royer quickly scored off the turnover with 1:39 to play. Giannoulis scooped up the draw and Gia Boccio fed Royer again for the game tying goal with 50 seconds on the board.
A Frostburg State yellow card on the follow-through gave the ball right back to the Wildcats without a draw. Ella Royer worked her way in to earn a free position shot and the buried the game winner with 17 seconds showing on the scoreboard.
In addition to her nine goals, Royer added 11 draws, four ground balls and two caused turnovers. Alea Javorowsky had a goal and four assists while Gia Boccio finished with a goal, three assists, and seven draws. Michaella Cook and Anastasia Giannoulis had two goals and an assist each. Allison Schiavone made seven saves in the second half to earn her first collegiate victory.
Tuesday was the Wildcats final tune-up prior to CACC play, as they host Felician on Saturday in the conference opener. The opening draw is set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Complex.