UNION, N.J. (March 2, 2022)  – Junior Zoe Cook had a career-high eight points and senior Camryn Rogers added five as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team defeated Kean University 16-1 Wednesday in a non-conference contest at Kean Alumni Stadium.

Junior Julieann Murphy and senior Natalie Fitzpatrick each had two goals and an assist as Stevens moved to 2-0 for the first time since 2018. The Ducks have totaled 37 goals over their two victories, marking the best offensive output for the program in the first two games of the year since 2002.

Seniors Morgan Westerby and Maeve McGovern each dished out two assists, while junior Maddie Schmidt and first-year Emily Smart each had one to round out the Ducks' scoring.

Kat Palaia had the lone goal of the day for Kean, who fell to 0-1. The Ducks moved to 11-0 all-time against the Cougars.

"Today was a really great team win," head coach Karen Shaddock said. "Every single player has been working extremely hard to prepare for this season and we had a strong showing. 

Senior Lauren Cunniff drew the start and made eight saves to earn the victory. The eight-save outing marked the second-most stops the Montgomery, New Jersey native has made in a Stevens uniform. First-year Erica Strojny took over late in the final quarter and made her first collegiate save. Nicole Peters had six saves in a losing effort for the Cougars.

"Lauren Cunniff played great in the cage and was the backbone of the defense," Shaddock said. "Offensively, we played true team offense and so many players were threats. Zoe was unstoppable and Morgan, Cam and Nat dominated the draw and gave us so many opportunities."

For the second straight game, the Ducks jumped on the board early, with Cook scoring the first of her career-best seven goals two minutes into the opening quarter. Rogers would follow with the first of her five goals, getting credited with the marker after causing a turnover off Peters' stick that carried across the goal line.

Rogers would net her second of the day and Fiztpatrick would beat Peters less than a minute later to give the Ducks a four-goal lead through one quarter. 

The Ducks would continue to find offensive success in the second period, scoring six times on seven shots. Cook would score in the opening minute, with Rogers scoring three times in the period. A second goal from Cook and a tally from Fitzpatrick would give the Ducks a 10-goal lead at halftime.

Fitzpatrick kicked off scoring in the third period, with the Ducks adding three more to take a 14-0 lead. Cook would score twice in the fourth quarter to push the Ducks' advantage to 16. Palaia would score for Kean with six seconds left to spoil the shutout bid.

Stevens finished with a decisive 29-10 edge in shots, including a 17-4 advantage in the first half. The Ducks were highly efficient in their shooting, registering 22 of their 29 shots on goal. Rogers fired off nine shots to pace the Ducks, while Cook had eight. All 10 of Kean's shots were on target; Amanda Ehrart took three shots to lead the Cougars' efforts.

The Ducks forced Kean into 20 turnovers on the day, with 10 coming as unforced. Rogers caused four turnovers to lead the Ducks' efforts, with Murphy, Fitzpatrick, Cunniff, Schug and senior Meredith Conlin each causing one. Katie Pileggi and Emily Bretschneider combined to cause four of the Ducks' 16 turnovers to lead Kean.

Rogers earned five draw controls to help Stevens gain a 13-7 advantage.Westerby earned four, while Fitzpatrick, sophomore Emily Leiby and senior Josie Cook each had one. Pileggi led Kean with three.

Each side picked up 16 ground balls. Rogers scooped up a game-high four, while 11 different players had at least one. Bretschneider and Jenn Koval each picked up two to lead Kean.

The Ducks were a perfect 13 for 13 on clears, while an aggressive midfield unit held Kean to just 8 for 17.

Cook went 2 for 3 on free-position shots, while Rogers and Fitzpatrick each scored on their only attempt from eight meters. Kean did not attempt a free-position shot.

The Ducks were unable to score on three woman-advantage situations, while successfully killing off their only card.

Up Next: Women's Lacrosse welcomes Rowan University to the DeBaun Athletic Complex on Mar. 5 for the Ducks' home opener. The Profs edged the Ducks 13-10 on Mar. 7, 2020 in the last meeting between the teams to extend Rowan's winning streak in the series to three, although the Ducks hold an 11-7 edge in the all-time series. Links for live stats and video are available on StevensDucks.com.

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