HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 8, 2022) –The Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team scored twice in the final five minutes to snap a 12-12 tie to defeat Alvernia University 14-13 Tuesday in an exciting non-conference matchup at the DeBaun Athletic Complex. 

Junior Zoe Cook converted a feed from junior Julieann Murphy for her fourth goal of the day to hand Stevens a 13-12 lead with four-and-a-half minutes left in regulation. Senior Morgan Westerby would score what would prove to be the game-winning goal 90 seconds later for the Ducks, who continued their perfect start in moving to 4-0. The four wins to open the season mark the best start for the program since 2017.

Erika Whitmoyer had three goals and two assists and Haleigh Lackner scored four times for the Golden Wolves, who dropped to 4-2. It was the first meeting between the teams since 2003. 

Senior Camryn Rogers scored three goals for her fourth hat trick in as many games. Westerby and Murphy each had a goal and an assist as 10 different Ducks found the scoresheet. Sophomore Emily Leiby set a career high with three assists, while junior Maddie Schmidt and first-year Erica Schug each had one. First-year Emily Smart added a goal and an assist and first-year Alison Lax and senior Maeve McGovern each scored once to round out the Ducks' scoring. Schug's assist on Lax's second-quarter goal was her first collegiate point. 
 
Senior Lauren Cunniff had a season-high 13 saves, including the 100th of her career, to earn the victory. Kasey Fox matched Cunniff's efforts with 13 saves in defeat for Alvernia.
 
A very entertaining contest from start to finish, Stevens looked to pull away early, scoring four times in the first 10 minutes to take an early lead. Murphy opened scoring in the fifth minute, taking a feed from Westerby, and whipping it past Fox for the first goal of the contest. Alvernia scored back-to-back goals to cut the Ducks' lead in half, but Westerby netted her first of the day to hand the home team a 5-2 lead through one quarter. 
 
It was Alvernia that provided the fireworks at the start of the second quarter, scoring three times in five minutes to pull the teams even at five. Meagan Moky opened scoring 16 seconds into the period, with consecutive goals by Whitmoyer completed the run. Stevens, however, would again take control of the game, scoring four times bridging the second and third periods, with Lax and Murphy scoring in the second quarter and Rogers competing her hat trick with two goals in 90 seconds in the third. 
 
After Alvernia cut the lead to 9-6 with a goal from Lackner, the Ducks pushed their lead to a game-high five as Zoe Cook and Leiby connected twice in a row to make it 11-6. However, Alvernia responded with five unanswered goals to again draw the teams even. 
 
Cook and Leiby connected for the third time to push Stevens back in front late in the third, but a power-play goal from Sophia Ruocco again knotted the score, setting the stage for Cook and Westerby's goals. Natalie Frantz would slice the Ducks' lead in half, beating Cunniff to make it a 14-13 game. The Golden Wolves would win the ensuing draw control, however, Rogers stripped Moky and senior Josie Cook picked the loose ball to return possession to the Ducks. 

Stevens then successfully cleared the ball into the attacking third and called timeout. After the break in play, the Ducks killed off the final 57 seconds to secure the victory. 
 
Stevens forced 14 Alvernia turnovers during the contest. Sophomore Sierra Doss and Schmidt led the way with two caused turnovers, while Rogers, Leiby, Cunniff and senior Natalie Fitzpatrick, and Cunniff each had one. Fox led Alvernia with two. 
 
The Ducks held a massive 21-10 edge on draw controls. Westerby earned six to lead Stevens, while Rogers had five. Schmidt and Leiby each took home four, with Fitzpatrick and Murphy each earning one to round out the Ducks' efforts. Moky and Lackner each had four to pace Alvernia.
 
Stevens also had the clear-cut 21-14 advantage in ground balls. Schmidt and Cunniff led the Ducks with three each, with Leiby, Schug, Doss, and first-year Marie Lindberger each scooping up two. Fox was the leader in this category with three followed by a trio of Golden Wolves with two.
 
The Ducks were 14 for 17 on clears compared to Alvernia's 21 for 27.
 
Westerby converted the only free-position shot Stevens attempted. Alvernia was led by Lackner's 2 for 2 effort. There were only two penalties in the game, one for each side, with Alvernia's coming in the second quarter and the Ducks getting carded in the fourth.
 
Up Next: Women's Lacrosse travels to Reading, Pennsylvania on Mar. 12 where they will square off with MAC Commonwealth member Albright College at Gene L. Shirk Stadium. The contest will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
 
Facebook: "Like" Stevens Athletics         
Twitter: @stevensducks
Instagram: @stevensducks
#AllRise