PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (February 25, 2018) – The No. 25 Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team topped Saint Joseph's College of Long Island 15-4 on Sunday in both teams' 2018 opener. Sophomore Kyra Bednarski scored five times and Mackenzie Metzler and Hannah Condren netted hat tricks to lead the Ducks.
 
Brianne Salera scored the season's first goal for Stevens less than a minute into the game, but St. Joe's tied in a minute later.
 
Nearly five scoreless minutes ticked by before Bednarski scored back-to-back goals to spark a big Stevens run. The Ducks scored six of the last seven goals of the first half for a 7-2 lead at the break and never looked back again.
 
The two teams traded the first four goals of the second period, but the Duck defense shut down the Eagles over the final 20:24, enabling the game to end on a 6-0 Stevens run.
 
Stephanie Schnelzer played all 60 minutes between the pipes to earn the win in net for Stevens. She made five saves.
 
"I'm pleased with the start. The weather conditions were tough, but we did a good job taking care of the ball, said head coach Celine Cunningham. "Our defense was stellar and the attack did a nice job finishing."
 
The Ducks outshot St. Joe's 30-13, and were a perfect 16-for-16 on clear attempts on Sunday.
 
The Eagles did win the draw control totals 12-9, thanks to Diana Johnson's game-high six.
 
Julianna Ricci scored two goals for Stevens and freshman Haley Hanrahan scored her first career goal in her first collegiate action. Hanrahan and Bednarski tied for the team lead with two assists apiece.
 
Bednarski and Metzler also led the team with four ground balls each; Metzler won seven of Stevens' nine draws and Bednarski forced a team-best three turnovers.
 
Nicole Stopelli scored half the St. Joe's goals in the game.
 
Up Next
The Ducks will host their home opener on Wednesday against Montclair State University at 4:30 p.m.
 
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