HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 28, 2018) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team dismantled local rival Montclair State University 11-6 in its home opener at the DeBaun Athletic Complex on Wednesday afternoon. Mackenzie Metzler and Kyra Bednarski finished with Hat Tricks for Stevens, and Stephanie Schnelzer made a dozen saves on 18 shots to earn the win.
 
The Ducks scored the first five goals of the game and it looked like the Ducks were prepared to run away with the game. Five different Ducks scored in that flurry: Julianna Ricci, Bednarski, Hannah Condren, Metzler and Emily Shanklin.
 
But MSU came alive with three-straight goals in the final 10 minutes to cut the Stevens lead down to two.
 
Ricci countered with her second goal just 30 seconds before halftime to snatch the momentum back as the Ducks led 6-3 at the break.
 
Montclair switched goalies in the second half, but Stevens was able to navigate the change and enjoyed an unanswered four-goal spurt from the 27-minute mark until the clock showed just 6:38 on the board to put the game on ice.
 
Metzler also was tied for the team lead with three groundballs with Regan Littell. The same players were 1-2 in caused turnovers; Metzler with three and Littell with two. Ricci and Tori Bruce added a pair of ground balls each. Shanklin led the team with four draw controls.
 
"We're happy with the result," said head coach Celine Cunningham. "We are still working through the new rules and shot clock, but our goal is to get better every day and today we did.  We had some well-executed goals and some big stops on defense. Steph has a career day; just two short from her career-high in saves."
 
Montclair highlights included a whopping eight draws won by Brittany Costigan and two goals apiece by Sydnee Sapp and Chelsea Orban.
 
Stevens now leads the all-time series with Montclair 14-8, including a 9-3 advantage at home. The Ducks and Red Hawks were Skyline Conference rivals for five seasons.
 
Up Next
The Ducks will travel to Garden State rival Rowan University on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
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