GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - - A 6-1 first half spurt was too much to overcome as the No. 4 seed Wilmington University women's lacrosse team saw its historic 2026 season come to an end in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to No. 1 seed and host Adelphi, 15-11, on Saturday at Motamed Field.
The record-breaking season saw the Wildcats win the most games in program history (19), advance to their first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship, win their first CACC Tournament Championship, earn a berth into their first NCAA Tournament, and win their first NCAA Tournament contest.
The Wildcats outscored the Panthers (14-4) in the second half, 5-4, but it was a run spanning the first and second quarters that proved to be the difference in the game. With the game tied, 2-2, the Panthers scored the next four goals, adding two goals to start the second quarter to make it a 6-1 run and an 8-3 lead. The Panthers took their largest lead of the game with back-to-back goals at the end of the second quarter, taking an 11-5 lead.
Ella Royer started the third quarter with back-to-back goals as the Wildcats closed the gap to within three, 11-8. But the Panthers always had a response, not allowing the Wildcats to string multiple goals together.
Goals by Kirra Crowley got the Wildcats to within 12-9 and 13-10, but the Panthers again answered with back-to-back goals to essentially put the game away. Crowley added one final tally with four seconds left, putting a wrap on the final score, 15-11.
Adephi held the major advantage at the draw circle, gaining possession on 22 of the 28 draws.
Ella Royer ends her collegiate career with four goals and two assists, adding one draw. The all-time leading goal scorer in NCAA Division II history leaves her mark with 378 goals and 99 assists for 477 career points.
Kirra Crowley finished with four goals, an assist, two draws, and one caused turnover, finishing her first season with the Wildcats with 71 goals and 25 assists for 96 points.
Alea Javorowsky dished out three more assists in her final collegiate game, climbing the NCAA DII all-time ranks to No. 2 now with 267 career helpers.
Anastasia Giannoulis and Tristan Holdsworth scored goals in their final games as well, as Giannoulis added an assist. Leah Rycroft accounted for the final goal, adding two draws. Sophie Shive led the defense with three caused turnovers. Allison Schiavone and Ashleigh Lawry each had six saves in goal.