HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 15, 2017) – Freshman
Kyra Bednarski scored consecutive goals as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team turned a one-goal halftime deficit into an 8-7 advantage in defeating the Utica College Pioneers, 12-8 Saturday.
Four different Ducks registered a goal as the Ducks improved to 10-3 overall and 5-0 in Empire 8 play. Bednarski matched her career high with a game-high six goals. The freshman also had one assist. Senior
Kathleen Kalbian added three goals and sophomore
Mackenzie Metzler had two. Junior
Cami Santor had two assists and senior
Laura Roberts had one goal to round out the scoring.
The Ducks have won the last nine matchups with the Pioneers dating back to the 2008 season.
Prior to the game, the Ducks honored the Women's Lacrosse Class of 2017:
Kathleen Kalbian, Jess Lieby,
Madison Annitto, Mariel Haubruch,
Betsy Crossland, and
Laura Roberts, in a pregame ceremony.
Katlyn Scarpinella had three goals and an assist to lead Utica, who fell to 6-5 on the year and 3-2 in conference play.
"We were tested today by a good team that is battling to get in the tournament," head coach
Celine Cunningham said. "I was happy to see that we were able to make adjustments in the second half.
Regan Littell came up big in transition, creating some key caused turnovers and
Bridget Reed on the draw really helped give us a chance to win those 50/50 balls."
Defensively, freshman
Emily Shanklin earned three draw controls and picked up one ground ball. Sophomore
Regan Littell led all players with four caused turnovers, helping the Ducks ta 12-10 advantage. Twelve Ducks picked up a ground ball helping Stevens to a 20-15 edge. Behind Bednarski's three goals on four attempts, Stevens went 5-for-11 on free position shots, while Utica converted all three of its attempts.
Stevens outshot Utica 26-8 advantage on shots went 8-of-9 on clear attempts.
Colleen Dowling netted the first goal of the game, just 51 seconds into the first half. Kalbian and Bednarski scored back-to-back goals just a minute apart to put Stevens in front. Scarpinella reclaimed the lead for Utica with a pair of goals and an assist on Rebecca Plunkett's marker to give the Pioneers a 4-2 edge.
The teams continued their offensive battle with four more first-half goals over a seven-minute stretch as Utica remained in front, 6-5. Bednarski's third goal of the half tied the score at six, but Noelle Capriglione beat
Stephanie Schnelzer with five seconds remaining to give Utica a 7-6 edge at the intermission.
Coming out of halftime, Bednarski beat Emily Holtshouser twice over a 10-minute stretch that saw the Ducks reclaim the lead. Metlzer's 13th goal of the season pushed the Stevens lead to two. Brooke Miller beat Schnelzer to again pull the Pioneers to within one, but Kalbian and Metzler scored back-to-back goals to put the Ducks comfortably back in front. Bednarski added one final goal just before time expired to complete the final margin.
Up next: Stevens takes on Elmira College Wednesday afternoon in the final home contest of the season. The game begins at 3:00 p.m.
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