MADISON, N.J. (May 1, 2021)  – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team rallied from an early four-goal deficit before dropping a heartbreaking 15-14 decision to FDU-Florham Saturday in the MAC Freedom Championship game played at Robert T. Shields Field.

Fifth-year Kyra Bednarski had four goals and two assists and sophomore Zoe Cook finished with four goals for the Ducks, who finished the 2021 campaign 9-5.

"I am incredibly proud of the student-athletes for their hard work today and this season," said head coach Karen Shaddock. "This season is not defined by today or that one goal. We overcame so much and put ourselves in a great spot to win. FDU played a great game today."

Katie Walsh scored seven goals, while Kylee Garcia added four, for FDU, who won its 16th straight game. 

After the top-seeded Devils took a two-goal lead with 2:14 left in regulation, junior Morgan Westerby won the ensuing draw control to give Stevens life in its attacking third. A foul led to a free-position attempt for Bednarski, which the Syracuse, New York native converted to draw the Ducks back to within one. 

The Ducks reclaimed possession on the next draw control only for the Devils to force a turnover. With less than 90 seconds remaining in regulation, the Ducks swarmed every FDU player in an attempt to force a turnover that would give the Ducks one final possession. A series of Stevens fouls finally resulted in a turnover when Garcia threw an errant pass over the outstretched stick of junior defender Brynne Pergolini. However, as Stevens was beginning to clear the ball in an effort to set up one final play, an FDU midfielder drew a charge near midfield, that returned possession to the home team with 30 seconds left in the contest. FDU was then able to evade the Ducks over the last 30 seconds to win its eighth MAC Freedom title. Walsh was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

"Our seniors have committed so much to this program over their careers and they have taught all of us so much," Shaddock commented. "Their legacies will last for seasons to come."

Westerby finished with two goals and an assist and fifth-year Emily Shanklin added two goals for the Ducks, who saw six student-athletes find the scoresheet. Junior Natalie Fitzpatrick had a goal and an assist and junior Julieann Murphy scored once to round out the Ducks' offensive contributions. 

Senior Peyton Taylor drew the start and made 10 saves. Junior Lauren Cunniff came on in the second half and made five saves. Maddy Apap made three saves to earn the victory for the Devils. The Ducks' 15 combined saves marked a season high.

FDU scored four times in the opening six minutes to take an early lead. The resilient Ducks responded with the next five goals to take their first lead of the game after a Bednarski marker with 7:05 left in the opening half. Cook began the comeback with a woman-up goal, taking advantage of a Hannah Blend yellow card. Stevens finished two for three on its woman-advantage opportunities.

Holding a one-goal lead at the intermission, Shanklin and Julieann Murphy netted goals 90 seconds apart to give the Ducks a three-goal lead. Walsh answered for FDU, before Westerby found the back of the net to give the Ducks a 10-7. 

FDU rallied in front of its home crowd to take an 11-10 lead only for the Ducks to score three in a row, punctuated by a Bednarski woman-up goal. Walsh scored the next three goals to reclaim a lead for the Devils, before Garcia netted what ultimately proved to be the game-winner.

FDU-Florham had a 36-21 advantage in shots. Of the Ducks' 21 attempts, 17 were on-goal. Zoe Cook led the Ducks with seven shots, while Bednarski had six. Garcia led both teams by firing off 14 shots.

Stevens registered eight caused turnovers on 13 FDU miscues. Fifth-year Kayla Buell led the Ducks' efforts by causing two turnovers, while six different student-athletes had one. Emma Ciquera had three caused turnovers to lead the Devils' defensive efforts.

Perhaps the key statistic in the game was the 50/50 battle, with FDU holding a 20-10 advantage in draw controls. Garcia and Walsh had six each to the both teams, while junior Camryn Rogers and sophomore Maris Daly had three to lead the Ducks. 

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