NEWARK, Del. - - For the fourth year in a row, the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team locked up the No. 3 seed in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament with a 23-5 victory over Bridgeport in the regular season finale on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.
With the win, the Wildcats move to 15-2 on the year and 7-2 in CACC play, locking in the No. 3 seed in the standings. They will welcome No. 6 Chestnut Hill in the CACC Tournament First Round on Tuesday at the WU Athletics Complex.
On Saturday, Bridgeport tied the game, 1-1, with their first goal with 13:07 to play. But then the Wildcats took over, scoring five straight to take the lead for good. Leah Rycroft scored three of the five goals and then Ella Royer scored the final two goals of the quarter to give the Wildcats an 8-2 lead.
The Wildcats came out and scored the first five goals of the second quarter, as Alea Javorowsky and Kirra Crowley split the opening four. The Wildcats led by as many as 13-2 in the second quarter before taking a 13-4 lead into the halftime break.
It was all Wilmington in the second half, only allowing one goal in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats outscored the Purple Knights, 6-0, in the third quarter, getting two from Ella Royer, two from Leah Rycroft, and goals from Tristan Holdsworth and Kirra Crowley.
Allison Schiavone kept the Purple Knights out of the back of the net with four saves until they finally broke through with 6:30 left in the game. Anastasia Giannoulis scored the final two goals of the game, settling the score at 23-5. Ashley Lawry made five first half saves.
Alea Javorowsky led with 10 points, scoring twice and dishing out eight assists. Her first assist of the game gave her 250 for her career, setting a new CACC record for a career.
Ella Royer led with six goals, adding two assists and 10 draws. Kirra Crowley and Leah Rycroft collected five goals, one assist, and five draws each. Tristan Holdsworth scored a goal and added five assists while Michaella Cook scored two goals with an assist.
Tuesday's CACC First Round game will be a ticketed event, with admission being $10 for adults and $5 for students, children, and seniors. The opening draw is set for 3:30 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.