Postgame Press Conference at Bottom of Page
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - - Six goals in the fourth quarter propelled the No. 4 seed Wilmington University women's lacrosse team to a 15-11 victory over No. 5 Dominican in the First Round of the NCAA East Regional Tournament on Thursday at Motamed Field on the campus of Adelphi University.
The win is the first ever victory in the NCAA East Region Tournament, in its first appearance. The Wildcats now advance to play the East's top seed and host Adelphi on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the Second Round.
The Wildcats (19-2) scored the game's first two goals, but the Chargers (14-5) always had an answer through the first three periods. They tied the game, 2-2, but Kirra Crowley scored just 32 seconds later to give the Wildcats a 3-2 lead after the first quarter.
Dominican again tied it, 3-3, with the first goal of the second quarter, but then Ella Royer scored back-to-back goals to lead 5-3 with 10:02 to play. Kirra Crowley and Anastasia Giannoulis scored to make it four straight for the Wildcats, taking a 7-3 lead with 6:40 before the half. Dominican scored the final goal of the half, but the Wildcats still lead, 7-4, at the break.
The teams traded the first four goals of the third quarter, as Ella Royer scored to make it 9-6 with 6:39 to play in the quarter. The Chargers went on a run to end the third, scoring the final three goals, tying the game, with 41 seconds left in the frame, 9-9.
Allison Schiavone made two stops in the early going of the fourth quarter, keeping the game time. The Wildcats had a good clear following Schiavone's second save and immediately scored, as Ella Royer scored her fifth of the day, giving the Wildcats the lead for good with 11:52 to play.
Leah Rycroft won the ensuing draw and Giannoulis fed Royer in front once again, moments later, scoring with 11:13 to play for the 11-9 lead. Ella Royer made it three in a row nearly four minutes later, scoring her seventh of the day for the 12-9 lead with 7:13 left.
Dominican attempted one final comeback, scoring with 5:57 to play but then Allison Schiavone came up with a save 11 seconds later. Dominican got it to within two once again with 4:33 to play, but then Kirra Crowley and Michaella Cook finished off the Chargers with late goals, 15-11.
Ella Royer led the Wildcats with seven goals, an assist, and two draws. Kirra Crowley had two goals with three assists, two caused turnovers, two draws, and three ground balls. Anastasia Giannoulis added two goals and two assists while Leah Rycroft and Alea Javorowsky has a goal and two assists each. Rycroft led with five draws while Caitlyn Welker led the defense with three caused turnovers.
Ashleigh Lawry made six saves in the first half while Allison Schiavone made six saves in the second half, four of which were in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats and host Panthers (13-4) meet for the first time in Wilmington's program history on Saturday. The opening draw is set for 1:00 p.m.
