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NEWARK, Del. - - A big second half propelled the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team to a 25-12 victory over D'Youville in its final nonconference game of the season on Thursday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The game was close in the first half, with the teams tied, 5-5, after the first quarter and D'Youville (2-5) scoring three of the final four goals in the second quarter to get within 14-10 at the halftime break. But after the Saints scored the first goal of the third quarter, the Wildcats (6-2) rattled off seven straight to take over the game.
During the game, senior Amelie Gamache tallied both her 200th career point and 200th career draw control while sophomore Ella Royer recorded her 100th career goal.
Trailing 5-3, Ella Royer scored on a pair of free position chances at the end of the first quarter, tying the game with 19 seconds showing on the clock.
Royer made it three in a row to open the second quarter while the Wildcats continued a stretch of seven straight goals. Makenzie Stritzinger scored back-to-back goals at the end of the run, scoring once and then taking the ensuing draw and scoring 10 seconds later to make it a 10-5 game with 11:10 to play in the second. The Saints scored two goals but then the Wildcats went on a 3-0 run, capped by an Anastasia Giannoulis goal to make it 13-7. But D'Youville answered by scoring three of the final four goals of the half, as the Wildcats only went into the break leading 14-10.
D'Youville opened the third quarter with a goal to draw within 14-11, but the Wildcats all but put the game away with a 7-0 run the rest of the third quarter. Riley McQuaide started the run with Makenzie Stritzinger scoring three times and Ella Royer adding two more goals. The Wildcats led, 21-11, after three quarters of play.
The teams traded the first two goals of the fourth quarter before Alea Javorowsky (twice_ and Lauren Gresham got in on the scoring act to close out the contest, 25-12.
Ella Royer, Alea Javorowsky, and Makenzie Stritzinger all collected seven points in the game, with Royer leading the way with six goals. Javorowosky had a game high five assists while Stritzinger scored five goals. Amelie Gamache finished with five goals and an assist while adding a team high six draws. Anastasia Giannoulis scored for goals in the game.
The Wildcats only turned the ball over 11 times, going 18-of-20 on clear attempts.
The Wildcats begin Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Saturday when they host Post at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening draw is set for 11:00 a.m.