DALLAS, Pa. (April 29, 2021)  – Fifth-year Emily Shanklin scored three times in the opening half as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team punched its ticket to the MAC Freedom Championship with a 14-6 victory over Misericordia University Thursday in a semifinal matchup at a rainy Mangelsdorf Field.

Fresh off being named the Middle Atlantic Conference's Women's Lacrosse Senior Scholar-Athlete, Shanklin scored three times in the first half to complete her fourth hat trick of the season in helping the Ducks build an 8-4 advantage in the first half. Of Shanklin's three goals, two came on woman-advantage opportunities. 

Stevens was able to build its halftime lead with an efficient offense that took advantage of its opportunities, while  also limiting mistakes. The Ducks scored eight goals on 18 shots (13 on-goal) in the opening 30 minutes and committed just eight turnovers in slick conditions. 

Junior Camryn Rogers led all student-athletes with six goals and an assist and sophomore Zoe Cook added two goals and an assist for the Ducks, who won their fifth straight to improve to 9-4. Lauren Weitzel scored twice and Justine Johnson had a goal and an assist to lead Misericordia, who fell to 9-4. 

The Ducks advance to Saturday's MAC Freedom Championship, where they will meet top-seeded FDU-Florham in an all-New Jersey final. The Devils won their 15th straight game with a 22-6 victory over King's (Pa.) College in the other semifinal. Stevens will be playing for a conference championship for the second time in three years and will be in search of the sixth conference championship in program history. Excluding the 2020 season, Saturday's championship final will be the first played without the Cougars since 2014.

"I am so incredibly proud of our seniors for their leadership and the entire team for their effort tonight," said head coach Karen Shaddock. "They have worked incredibly hard to put themselves in the position to win this game."

Junior Natalie Fitzpatrick had a goal and an assist, as did fifth-year Kyra Bednarski and sophomore Julieann Murphy. Shanklin added an assist of her out to round of Stevens' scoring.

"Our offense was powerful and on a mission tonight," Shaddock said. "It was fun to watch them work together and make it happen."

"Kyra and Emily showed great leadership and took control of our offense," Shaddock continued. "Kyra created a lot of opportunities by winning the ball back in the ride. Emily finished with the ball when she had shots. We had great performances from the rest of our attack with Cam, Zoe, Nat and Jules all being threats."

Senior Peyton Taylor drew the start and made five saves. Junior Lauren Cunniff came on at halftime and also made five saves to preserve the victory. The combined 10 stops were the second-most by the Ducks this season. Maggie McGovern made 10 saves for Misericordia.

Although Weitzel put Misericordia on the board first with a free-position goal, Stevens responded with five of the next six goals to take control of the game. Shanklin's first of the evening knotted the teams up before Emily Connell found the back of the net to give Misericordia a 2-1 lead, which would prove to be the Cougars' final lead of the contest.

Fitzpatrick knotted the teams at two, before Rogers scored the first of the Ducks' three powerplay goals to put Stevens in front for good. Rogers converted a Murphy feed to push the Ducks' lead to two before Cook beat McGovern to end the stretch.

Johnson briefly slowed down the Ducks' offense with a shifty move that resulted in a goal, but Shanklin's back-to-back goals on the woman advantage pushed Stevens' lead to four. Rogers and Alyssa Delgadillo alternated goals to send the teams into the half with holding an 8-4 lead.

Following the intermission, the teams engaged in a defensive struggle for the first 10 minutes of the second half, with neither side able to solve the opposing netminder. Cook finally broke through, beating McGovern 12 minutes into the final half. Rogers followed with consecutive scores that brought the Ducks' advantage to six. 

With time winding down, the skies opened up and the teams played the final six minutes in a downpour. The weather seemed to boost the Ducks a bit, as Stevens scored the final three goals of the game in the wet conditions. 

"Our defense was relentless," Shaddock commented. "We had outstanding saves from both goalies and great performances from Kayla, Mere and Tara. The defense worked as a unit and didn't let Misericordia feel comfortable."

"I am really happy with this team pulling together," the third-year head coach continued. "We are excited about this win, but we are focused on the next step."

Stevens held a 33-21 advantage in shots, including a 15-8 margin in the second half. Rogers led all student-athletes with 12 shots, while Shanklin added six. Of the Ducks' 33 shots, 24 registered on-goal.

Fifth-year Kayla Buell caused three turnovers as Stevens caused seven of Misericordia's 23 miscues on the evening. Weitzel matched Buell with three caused turnovers as the Cougars caused seven of the Ducks' 17 turnovers. The aggressive Ducks were able to pick up 23 ground balls, against just 16 for the Cougars. Buell, Taylor and junior Meredith Conlin each picked up three ground balls as a swarming defense did not allow Misericordia to get into any sustained offensive rhythm. 

Weitzel helped Misericordia to a 15-7 advantage in the 50/50 battle, thanks to a game-high eight draw controls. Junior Morgan Westerby had three of the Ducks' seven draws, while Rogers, Fitzpatrick, and sophomore Olivia Sohl and Maris Daly, each had one.

Shanklin converted her free-position attempt as the Ducks finished 1 for 4 on eight-meter attempts. Misericordia went 2 for 5, with Weitzel scoring twice. Taylor stopped two Misericordia eight meter-attempts, while Cunniff stopped one. 

The Ducks' three woman-up goals were the most by the team since scoring three in an upset victory over then-No. 12 Wesleyan University on Mar. 28, 2018

Up Next: Women's Lacrosse heads to Madison, N.J. to take on the top-seeded FDU Devils on Saturday May 1. Live stats and video links are available on StevensDucks.com. Please note that all event times, dates and opponents are subject to change.

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