HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 26, 2020)  – Senior Kyra Bednarski scored her sixth goal of the day with 16 seconds left in regulation to send the Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team to an 11-10 come-from-behind season-opening victory over Montclair State Wednesday in the Ducks' season-opener played at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

Down by as many as three goals midway through the second half, the Ducks scored five of the final six goals to defeat the Red Hawks for the third time in the last four meetings.

"I am so proud of the effort from every single player tonight," said head coach Karen Shaddock. We knew Montclair was going to be a tough team and challenge us. Kyra handled the pressure with confidence and was still able to make a huge impact offensively."

"The rest of the offense really stepped up with the opportunities came," Shaddock continued. "Peyton set the tone defensively in the first half and Lauren came in in the second half to finish the game strong. Our core defenders were able to put a ton of pressure on [Montclair State] and force mistakes. I am very impressed with our confidence and focus to take control of the game after the last time out. This was a fantastic team win and a great start [to the season]."

Sophomore Natalie Fitzpatrick began the winning play by hustling to a wide shot to keep possession with Stevens. On the restart, the Annandale, New Jersey native pushed the ball to senior Hannah Condren near the top of the circle. Condren found Bednarski, who had darted in front of Montclair's Kaitlin Zazzaro. The Syracuse, New York native quickly found herself double teamed, but quickly spun to her right and turned towards the net. Bednarski split a pair of Montclair defenders before whipping a shot from the high slot that beat Amanda Maguire over the left shoulder to send Stevens on to victory. The Ducks have won four of their last five season-openers.

Bednarski totaled six goals and one assist on the day and Fitzpatrick added a pair of goals for the Ducks, who moved to 1-0 on the young season. Stevens has won four of their last five season-openers. The contest marked the first season opener played at the DeBaun Athletic Complex since 2017

Rhiannon Brown had four goals and Kyle Graver added three goals and two assists for the Red Hawks, who dropped to 1-1.

Sophomore Morgan Westerby had a goal and an assist and senior Emily Shanklin and sophomore Maeve McGovern each added a goal for the Ducks, who are averaging 13.6 goals over their last five season-openers.

Freshman Lauren Malicki drew the start along the back line in her collegiate debut as five different Ducks saw their first collegiate action. Joining Malicki in taking to the field for the first time as a Duck were Maris Daly, Julieann Murphy, Olivia Sohl and Maddie Schmidt.

Junior Peyton Taylor drew the opening-day start and made four saves. Sophomore Lauren Cunniff played the final 14 minutes and earned the victory. Maguire made five saves in a losing effort for Montclair State.

Bednarski put Stevens in front early, scoring on Stevens' first shot of the season after Shanklin earned the opening draw control. Bednarski doubled the advantage before Fitzpatrick beat Maguire to give the Ducks a three-goal lead nine minutes into the game.

Brown scored twice in a 1:48 span to trim Stevens' lead to one, before Graver scored the Red Hawks' third goal of the game to tie the score. Brown collected her third goal of the half, however, Shanklin found the back of the net in the waning moments of the first half to send the teams into the intermission tied at four. Bednarski was credited with an assist on Shanklin's goal, giving the senior attackwoman 105 for her career , to move within six of setting a new program record for career assists.

Westerby and Graver alternated goals to open the second half, before Amber Gonzalez and Bednarski did the same to keep the teams deadlocked. The Red Hawks scored three straight goals to take a 9-6 lead before Stevens began the comeback.

Bednarski scored twice in a 90-second span to pull the Ducks within one, but Sydnee Sapp pushed the lead back to two, but the marker would be Montclair State's final one of the day. Fitzpatrick began Stevens' late run with a free-position goal. Westerby would earn the ensuing draw control, leading to McGovern's marker. Fitzpatrick would claim the next draw control, which led to Bednarski's game-winner. The Ducks scored three times in a 2:27 span following a timeout to secure the win.

Stevens outshot Montclair State 21 on the afternoon, including a 16-14 margin in shots on goal. Bednarski led the Ducks with six shots and eight different players fired off one attempt. Brown fired five attempts to lead the Red Hawks.

Defensively, sophomore Meredith Conlin matched a career-high with four caused turnovers as the Ducks collected 10 caused turnovers on the day. Senior Kayla Buell caused three and Bednarski, Westerby and Condren each caused one. Meghan Gorman registered two caused turnovers to lead Montclair State.

Stevens claimed a 16-13 advantage in ground balls. Conlin scooped up three to pace the Ducks, while Buell, Westerby, Condren and Taylor each picked up two. Graver and Maguire each picked up three to lead Montclair State.

Montclair State held a 13-10 advantage in draw controls, although each team earned seven. Westerby led the Ducks with five, while Shanklin and Fitzpatrick combined for the other five. Gonzalez led all players with five. Despite Montclair State's final advantage in draws, the Ducks won each of the last three during the game's final three minutes.

Stevens was successful on 22 of its 24 clearing attempts, while Montclair State went 19 for 22.
The Ducks went 0 for 2 on the woman-advantage and did not commit a penalty.

Stevens went 2 for 4 on free-position shots, with Bednarski and Fitzpatrick successfully converting shots. Megan Mahlstadt was unsuccessful on Montclair State's lone free-position shot of the game.

Up Next: Women's Lacrosse heads to Sparks Glencoe, Maryland on Feb. 29 for a neutral-site matchup against Shenandoah University at the U.S. Lacrosse headquarters. It is believed to be the first meeting between the programs.

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