ELMIRA, N.Y. (April 7, 2019)  – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team posted its first shutout since April 2, 2017 with an 18-0 victory over Elmira College Sunday in an Empire 8 Conference matchup at the Ernie Davis Academy. 

Junior Hannah Condren had a season-high five goals and two assists to match a career-high with seven points, while classmate Kyra Bednarski added four goals and three assists for the Ducks, who won their second straight to improve to 5-7 on the year and 3-1 in conference play. The consecutive victories mark the team's first winning streak under first-year head coach Karen Shaddock.

Elmira only totaled three shots on the afternoon in dropping their fourth straight game. The Soaring Eagles wrapped up the weekend at 1-12 on the year and 1-4 in the Empire 8.

"We are continuing to grow as a team and today was a great team win," Shaddock said. "Everyone contributed, which was great."

Junior Emily Shanklin registered five points for the second straight game and freshman Morgan Westerby netted her first career hat trick for the Ducks, who have averaged 17.5 goals per game over their last four contests. Junior Brianne Salera and freshman Natalie Fitzpatrick also found the back of the net, while freshmen Gale Bennett and Maeve McGovern each handed out two assists. Sophomore Haley Hanrahan recorded the assist on Fitzpatrick's second marker of the game to round out Stevens' scoring.

Sophomore Peyton Taylor drew the start in the cage and made one save to earn her second straight win. Freshman Lauren Cunniff relieved Taylor in the second half and also made a save in the combined shutout. Kacie Pierce drew the start for Elmira and suffered the loss, despite making six saves. Krystyna Lilland played the second half and made a pair of saves.

"We were able to create a lot of looks offensively and find the openings," Shaddock commented. 

Hanrahan won the opening draw control and after the teams exchanged turnovers, Westerby took a Bennett pass and whipped a shot past Pierce for her 12th goal of the year. The Ducks would score on each of their first three shots to seize early control of the game.

After a successful clear, Elmira fired its first shot of the game, but Taylor stood tall in the cage and made the stop and began Stevens' counterattack. Follow the clear, Bednarski fired a shot on goal and a smothering Stevens defense forced an errant pass by the Elmira netminder and Fitzpatrick converted to push the lead to four. 

The Ducks extended their lead to seven just 10 minutes into the game and the lead reached double figures on Condren's marker with 6:51 left in the first half. Westerby converted a free-position attempt to close out the first half.

Fitzpatrick won the draw control to open the second half and Shanklin worked her way through the Elmira defense to beat Lilland for the first goal of the second stanza. The Berkley, Michigan native won the ensuing draw, which led to Westerby's second of the game. Bednarski had the assist on the goal and continues to lead the team in both points and assists and the Syracuse, New York native paces the conference in points per game.

Condren would complete her third hat trick in the last four games by scoring three times in the second half and goals from Bednarski and Fitzpatrick provided the game's final scoring margin.

The Ducks finished with a game-high 35 shots, with Bednarski and Condren leading the way with seven each. Stevens' 26 shots on goal are the team's second-highest total of the season as the offensive efficiency continues a season trend as the Ducks have a conference-leading .473 shooting percentage and a .788 shot on-goal percentage.

The Ducks forced the Soaring Eagles into 24 turnovers with Shanklin matching a career high with four caused turnovers, while sophomore Margaret Carroll and senior Regan Littell each caused two. Four different players each caused one turnover to lead Elmira.

"The defense was very focused and Peyton and Lauren did a great job," Shaddock reflected.

Shanklin won a season-high nine draw controls for the Ducks, while Fitzpatrick added three. Condren and sophomore Tori Bruce each earned two draws, while Westerby and Hanrahan each collected one for the Ducks, who as a team, matched a season best with 18. Mikayla Carfello and Alicia Johnson each earned one draw for Elmira, whose two total draws marked the lowest total by a Stevens opponent since Arcadia University earned just one draw control in Stevens' 13-2 victory in the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Region semifinals on May 9, 2015.

Junior Kayla Buell matched Shanklin in scooping up three ground balls to lead Stevens' efforts. Kate Gibson picked up two to lead the Soaring Eagles.

Westerby and Bednarski each converted a free-position shot as Stevens went 2-for-2 on the day. Elmira did not earn a free-position shot.

The Ducks went 8-for-9 on clears, while holding Elmira to 5 of 20. 

Up Next: Women's Lacrosse welcomes Nazareth College to campus for a key Empire 8 Conference matchup on April 13. The Ducks lead the all-time series 7-6 and have won the last three meetings, including an 11-9 victory in the 2017 Empire 8 Championship semifinals. 

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