Video of Ella Royer's 116th goal this season below
NEWARK, Del. - - With her eight goal of the afternoon, Ella Royer broke NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse NCAA Single Season scoring mark, leading the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team to a 23-16 victory over Bridgeport, 23-16, in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament First Round on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The previous mark of 115 goals in a season was set by Maryville's Sydney Tiermann in 2023. Ella Royer broke the mark with her eighth goal today, finishing with 10 overall and now stands with 118 goals this season. She now also leads the country with 143 points on the year as well.
After getting out to a strong start, the Wildcats needed to collect themselves in the third quarter to fight off the hard charging Purple Knights.
The Wildcats scored six straight goals in the first quarter to take a 7-1 lead. The Purple Knights scored back-to-back goals to close the gap, but then Ella Royer scored to make it 8-3 after the first quarter. Royer, needing seven goals to tie the record, scored six int eh first quarter.
After Alea Javorowsky scored to make it 9-3, the Purple Knights went on a 4-0 run to close the gap to 9-7. Eden Ward and Royer scored to make it 11-7, but Bridgeport then scored the final two goals of the second half to make it an 11-9 game at the break.
After a lengthy lightning delay, Bridgeport inched even closer with the first goal of the third quarter, getting to within 11-10. But the Wildcats answered with three straight goals, starting with Ella Royer's record breaking goal with 11:45 to play in the third quarter, Alea Javorowsky scored back-to-back goals to make it 14-10 once again. Another 4-0 spurt gave the Wildcats an 18-11 lead as they looked to be in control once again.
The Purple Knights got within six goals twice in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats help them off with goals from Javorowsky and one final goal from Royer down the stretch.
Ella Royer finished with 10 goals, two assists, 16 draws, five ground balls, and two caused turnovers. Alea Javorowsky added five goals and three assists while Tristan Holdsworth scored three goals and added four assists. Michaella Cook chipped In with three goals and two assists while Eden Ward finished with 11 draws. Sophie Shive led the defense with four caused turnovers.
The Wildcats advance to the CACC Tournament Semifinal round for the sixth straight season. They return to Philadelphia to take on No. 2 Jefferson on Tuesday afternoon at Ravenhill Field.
