HOUGHTON, N.Y. (April 1, 2017)  – The Stevens Institute of Technology Women's Lacrosse team scored thirteen goals over the first thirty minutes of play en route to a 19-4 victory over Houghton College Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference matchup.

Nine different Ducks registered goals as Stevens improved to 7-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Freshman Kyra Bednarski powered the Ducks offense with three goals and three assists and senior Laura Roberts, sophomore Mackenzie Meltzer and freshman Hannah Condren also netted three goals for the Ducks. Senior Kathleen Kalbian and freshman Emily Shanklin had two goals apiece and senior Mariel Haubrich, junior Bridget Reed and junior Cami Santor also had goals to round out the scoring.

Reigning Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Division III National Defensive Player of the Week Stephanie Schnelzer recorded a pair of saves in earning her eighth win of the year. 

"Great to see the distribution of goals," head coach Celine Cunningham said. "Kathleen came up big with nine draw controls and some key caused turnovers that really helped us control possession early in the game."

Jennifer Zacchinga and Chandler Jones each had two points for Houghton. The Highlanders fell to 1-7 on the year and 0-4 in E8 play.

Defensively, Kalbian recorded nine draw controls and picked up six ground balls. The Chesire, Connecticut native also caused four turnovers. Junior Cami Santor earned one draw control, while causing two turnovers with four ground balls. The Ducks were a perfect 2-for-2 on free position shots and have hit on seven straight over their last two games. The Highlanders did not record an attempt.

The Ducks outshot the Highlanders 35-10 and were 11-for-12 on clear attempts, while holding Houghton to 8-of-15.

Stevens struck early and often against Houghton goalkeeper Alison Clark, jumping out to a 4-0 lead over the game's first minutes on a pair of goals by Roberts and tallies from Bednarski and Metzler.

Houghton finally got on the board on Zacchinga's first goal of the game. However, the Houghton goal sparked the Stevens offense as the Ducks struck for nine straight goals to close the first half. Kalbian started the explosion, followed by Bednarski, Condren and Roberts. Meltzer's tally extended the Stevens lead to 9-1. Santor's goal with three seconds remaining in the first half gave the Ducks a 13-1 edge at the intermission.

Frances Quigley opened the second half scoring beating sophomore Alex Samper, who started the second half in relief of Schnelzer. Kalbian matched the Quigley marker six minutes later and back-to-back Houghton goals brought the Highlanders to within 10 goals, but five unanswered goals by the Ducks rounded out the scoring. 

Up next: The Ducks continue Empire 8 Conference play with a Sunday matchup with Alfred. The game begins at noon.

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