SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - - Four goals to start the second half helped lead the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team to an 11-8 victory over Dominican University of California on Wednesday Kennelly Field.
Tied 4-4 at the halftime break, the Wildcats (4-0) outscored the Penguins (4-1), 5-3, in the third quarter and got a pair of key saves from Ashleigh Lawry in the fourth quarter to remain unbeaten.
The first quarter only saw one goal, coming off the stick of the Penguins. The hosts outshot the Wildcats, 6-5, but Allison Schiavone made two saves while Dominican's goalie made three stops.
Dominican made it a 2-0 lead with the first goal of the second quarter, but then the Wildcats got on the board with 6:48 to play. Ella Royer converted a free position attempt for the Wildcats' first goal. Leah Rycroft quickly tied the game just 46 seconds later and then Alea Javorowsky and Kirra Crowley scored to make it four in a row for the 4-2 lead. The Penguins answered with two goals before the half, including one with 12 seconds left to tie the game, 4-4.
The Wildcats came out of the halftime break with a surge, scoring four straight to take command. Kirra Crowley bookended the scoring run with Poppy Fornoff and Leah Rycroft scoring in between. Dominican answered with three of the next four goals, scoring against the buzzer yet again to make it a 9-7 game going into the fourth.
Dominican controlled the ball for the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, but Ashleigh Lawry ultimately came up with a save. The Wildcats eventually earned a free position attempt and Alea Javorowsky passed out of it to Tristan Holdsworth who scored to put the Wildcats up 10-7 with 7:33 to play. Holdsworth would again bury a pass from Javorowsky three minutes later, giving the Wildcats an 11-7 lead late in the game. Dominican got one back with 2:52 to play and then won the ensuing draw. But Ashleigh Lawry made two stops down the stretch, keeping the Penguins from getting any closer.
Kirra Crowly led with three goals while Tristan Holdsworth led with two goals and four assists for six points. Alea Javorowsky finished with a goal and two assists while Ella Royer and Leah Rycroft scored two goals each. Rycroft added five ground balls and four draws while Poppy Fornoff came away with five grounds and caused two turnovers. Both Allison Schiavone and Ashlegh Lawry made five stops in goal.
The Wildcats fly coast to coast and return to action on Saturday afternoon. They to Bloomsburg to take on the Huskies starting at 1:00 p.m.
