HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 22, 2022)  – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team scored the first eight goals of the game en route to a 17-6 victory over Drew University Tuesday in a non-conference matchup at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

Junior Maddie Schmidt totaled a career-high five goals to lead nine different players who finished with at least one point for the Ducks as Stevens won its eighth straight game in moving to 8-0. The Ducks' 8-0 start is the best for the program since 2009.

Hailey Simmons had a pair of goals to lead Drew, who fell to 6-1. Stevens has won four of the last five meetings between the programs.

"I am really proud of every single player," head coach Karen Shaddock said. "They all stepped up tonight and focused on the things we needed them to. Our offense was so spread out and dynamic; I was so impressed with everyone's level of play."

Reigning MAC Freedom Player of the Week Camryn Rogers had four goals and an assist and first-year Emily Smart finished with a goal and three assists. Senior Maeve McGovern finished one shy of a career high with three assists, while junior Zoe Cook posted her seventh hat trick of the season with three goals. Sophomore Emily Leiby netted a pair of goals, while seniors Natalie Fitzpatrick and Morgan Westerby each added one. First-year Rebecca Guerra added a fourth-quarter assist for her first collegiate point and to round out the Ducks' scoring.

"Maddie, Cam and Zoe all had incredible games," Shaddock added. "Cunniff was fantastic in the cage and made back-to-back saves several times. Mere really held the standard of play for the defense and read Drew's offense so well, which caused a lot of turnovers. Malicki, Josie and Schug also did a great job in the defensive end."

Senior Lauren Cunniff made seven saves to earn the victory in the cage, while Anna Horne suffered the loss for Drew. The Ducks held Drew to nine goals under its season average.

In the first meeting between the teams since 2014, the Ducks wasted little time getting on the board. McGovern fed Cook on a nifty set play to beat Horne less than five minutes into the contest to give Stevens an early lead. The Ducks would go on to score six times in the opening period to create an early cushion in knocking the Rangers from the ranks of the unbeaten.

As the Ducks were finding success in the offensive third, they were also able to thwart the Rangers on the defensive end. Stevens held Drew to just four shots in the opening frame, while also forcing five turnovers. When Drew was able to maintain possession and run its offense, Cunniff was up to the task, stopping all four shots on goal.

Rogers scored a power-play goal to open second-quarter scoring and Schmidt followed with her second of the contest before Simmons finally put Drew on the board near the midway point of the frame. 

Stevens answered with three straight goals before Maggie Nealey and Jenna Draney each found the back of the net in the final three minutes to send the teams into the intermission with the Ducks holding an 11-3 lead.

Fitzpatrick beat Horne for her 10th of the season to open scoring in the third quarter and Rogers scored twice in a 78-second span to push the Ducks' lead to double figures. Schmidt would score the Ducks' final three goals of the contest to complete her second career hat trick. While the Ducks posted their eighth double-digit scoring output of the season, they kept Drew's Lizzy Barrett, who entered the contest inside the top 30 in scoring, off the scoresheet completely and forced the Rangers' leading scorer into eight turnovers.

The Ducks forced 20 Drew turnovers including seven in the third quarter. Senior Meredith Conlin matched her own program record with seven caused turnovers, while junior Lauren Malicki had three. Meliha Emini and Draney each caused two turnovers to lead Drew. 

The teams were evenly matched on draws, with Stevens holding a slim 14-13 advantage in the key statistic. Rogers led the Ducks' efforts with six draw controls, while Westerby had two. Fitzpatrick, Leiby and Schmidt each had one to round out the Ducks' efforts. Simmons and Ella Champigny each had four to lead Drew.

The Ducks had a slim 17-16 advantage in ground balls. Fitzpatrick, Cunniff and Conlin each scooped up three, while Kendall Hartt scooped up a game-high four to lead both teams.

The Ducks were successful on 19 of 22 clears, while Drew found success on 15 of its 16 attempts.

Stevens went 2 for 6 on its eight-meter attempts, with Rogers and Schmidt scoring on free-position shots.

Up Next: Women's Lacrosse welcomes Stevenson University to the DeBaun Athletic Complex on Mar. 26. The teams have split four all-time meetings. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.

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