HOUGHTON, N.Y. (April 6, 2019)  – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team scored five times on its first six shots of the game en route to a 21-3 victory over Houghton College Saturday afternoon in an Empire 8 Conference matchup at Burke Field.

Sophomore Haley Hanrahan and freshman Maeve McGovern each set a career high with four goals and junior Kyra Bednarski added two goals and six assists for Stevens, who improved to 4-7 on the year and to 2-1 in league play. The Ducks' 21 goals marked a season-high.

Marissa Hews scored twice for the Highlanders, who fell to 2-8 overall and 0-3 in the Empire 8. Houghton has lost four of its last five.

"I was very happy with the effort today," said head coach Karen Shaddock. "It was great to see a full team effort and the team supporting each other. This was the best we've communicated and [the best] we've played together."

Junior Emily Shanklin had two goals and three assists and classmate Hannah Condren added three goals and an assist for the Ducks, who crossed the 20-goal threshold for the second time in three games. Freshmen Natalie Fitzpatrick and Gale Bennett each scored twice, while classmate Morgan Westerby finished with a goal and an assist as nine different players finished with at least one point. Sophomore Margaret Carroll also found the back of the net and McGovern added four assists to finish with a career-high eight points to round out Stevens' scoring.

Sophomore Peyton Taylor drew the start in the cage and earned her second career victory. Fellow second-year netminder Olivia Demetres came in for the second half and finished with one save. Meghan Rearick started for Houghton and made five saves in defeat. Sarah Olandt relieved in the second half and finished with one save.

Although Houghton earned the first draw control, a smothering defense didn't allow a shot and the Ducks took their first possession when Condren stripped Cori Beck in the attacking third. The Ducks would take their first shot attempt 60 seconds later and McGovern whipped a shot past Rearick for the first goal of the game. Senior Regan Littell stripped Reegan Mitchell after Beck claimed the ensuing draw and Condren scored in transition to give the Ducks a 2-0 lead. Shanklin, Fitzpatrick and Hanrahan would each find the back of the net as Stevens jumped out to a 5-0 lead with markers from five different players.

The offensive fireworks continued with goals from Fitzpatrick, Hanrahan and Westerby coming over a one-minute stretch that grew the lead to eight. Hanrahan buried a power-play goal and McGovern added another to push the lead to double figures. 

Beck beat Taylor at the 13:06 mark of the first half to spoil the shutout, but four goals over the final 9:08 of the first half gave Stevens a commanding 15-1 lead at the intermission.

"Our offense moved the ball well and found the openings," Shaddock said. "Maeve did a great job of setting up her teammates. Margaret and Haley did a great job finishing on the inside and Hannah and Natalie did a great job starting the offense in transition."

Condren opened scoring in the second half to complete her second hat trick over the last three games. Marissa Hews beat Demetres on the next possession, but the Ducks scored each of the next five goals to keep the Highlanders at-bay. Hews scored with 28 seconds on the clock to provide the final margin.

The Ducks finished with 30 shots, matching the team's second-highest total of the season. Stevens also finished with 30 attempts against both Sewanee and Rhodes. Fitzpatrick finished with a game-high five shots and four different players fired four shots on goal, helping the Ducks to a season-high 27. The Ducks held Houghton to nine shots, with just four registering on-goal. Beck and Hews each took four shots to lead the Highlanders.

Stevens forced Houghton into 18 turnovers, while committing a season-low nine. Littell led the defensive efforts with three caused turnovers, while Condren forced two. The Highlanders did not record a caused turnover. 

"Our defense worked hard together and set the tone in the first half," Shaddock offered. "That started with Hannah, Regan and Kayla."

Shanklin matched a season high with seven draw controls to help Stevens total a 15-10 edge for the game. Sophomore Tori Bruce, Fitzpatrick and Westerby each had two and Condren and Hanrahan each had one. Beck collected four to lead the Highlanders. 

Stevens held the edge in ground balls, with Shanklin picking up a team-high four. Littell and Taylor each scooped three as 11 Ducks each picked up one. Beck snagged a game-high five to lead Houghton. 

Each team only earned one free-position shot, with Hanrahan successfully scoring her second career free-position goal. Mitchell failed to convert Houghton's lone attempt.

The Ducks went a perfect 10-for-10 on clears, while Houghton was successful on five of its six clearing attempts.

Up Next: Women's Lacrosse continues its two-game road trip, taking on Elmira College Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. The game will be played at Ernie Davis Academy and there will not be live video. Live stats link is available on StevensDucks.com.

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