MADISON, N.J. (May 7, 2022)  – Seniors Morgan Westerby and Camryn Rogers each scored four goals as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team won its first MAC Freedom title with an 11-10 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Saturday at Elizabeth Ruth Hennessy Field. 

First-year Emily Smart and junior Maddie Schmidt each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. First-year Alison Lax also found the back of the net for the Ducks, who have won five straight to move to 17-2, matching a program record for wins in a single season. 

"I am incredibly proud of this team and the work they have put in all year," head coach Karen Shaddock said. "They have been focused on getting to this moment for an entire year."

"The composure and confidence shown by our offense was great," Shaddock continued. "They executed and worked together better than they have all year. Our younger players stepped up and played like veterans and this senior class led us all the way."

Katie Walsh scored four times and Kylee Garcia scored three times for FDU-Florham, who dropped to 16-3. The Ducks' victory snapped the Devils' nine-game winning streak and reversed the outcome of last season's MAC Freedom title game. The contest marked Stevens' first victory over the Devils in Madison since the 2015 season. FDU-Florham had won eight of the last 11 MAC Freedom titles.

Senior Lauren Cunniff made nine saves, including four on free-position shots, to earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player honors. The Montgomery, New Jersey native totaled 22 saves over the Ducks' two games in the tournament to help Stevens win its first conference crown since 2011.

"Cunniff played amazing today and really led our defense," Shaddock said. "Meredith, Josie, Erica, Malicki and Marie really shut down FDU's offense, which has been so successful all season long."

The Ducks' defensive efforts held FDU-Florham to its lowest offensive output of the season and forced 18 turnovers, including four that were uncaused. Junior Zoe Cook and first-year Erica Schug each caused three turnovers, while Rogers, Cunniff and senior Josie Cook each had two. 
 
With a heavy rain falling for nearly the duration of the game, neither side was able to string together more than two consecutive goals until the Ducks reeled off three in a row to start the fourth quarter. The Ducks struck first with goals from Westerby and Rogers, before the Devils responded with a pair of goals 40 seconds apart to tie the teams at 2 through the opening. Rogers' four-goal output moved the senior to 81 goals on the year and within three of matching the program's single-season record of 84 set by Hall of Famer Valerie Barnhart in 2003.

Rogers and Lax opened second-quarter scoring, before Walsh responded for the Devils. Rogers completed her 15th hat trick of the year to put the Ducks back in front by two, but Garcia scored a minute later to send the teams into halftime with the Ducks holding a 5-4 advantage. 

Garcia and Walsh scored 90 seconds apart to kick off third-quarter play, putting FDU-Florham in front for the first time. The Ducks responded to their first deficit of the playoffs with consecutive goals from Smart and Schmidt to retake the lead. Walsh netted her second of the period to again tie the score, but Westerby closed out the quarter by beating Jamie Kubach for the second time to again put Stevens in front. Kuback made 10 saves in defeat for the Devils.

Garcia again drew the teams even early in the final quarter, scoring on the woman-advantage. However, a pair of Westerby goals bookended a Rogers tally over a four-and-a-half minute stretch as the Ducks created a little breathing room with an 11-8 lead. FDU-Florham would score twice in the final three minutes and had a chance to force overtime, but Garcia's free-position shot sailed well wide of the net to cement the Ducks' victory.

Sophomore Emily Leiby led the Ducks' efforts in the circle, earning six of the team's nine draw controls. Westerby corralled the other three. Walsh and Marissa Ross each had six to pace FDU-Florham. 

"Leiby and Morgan were great and came up huge for us on the draw," Shaddock said.

Stevens finished 15 for 21 on clears, although the Ducks were a perfect 10 for 10 in the first half. FDU-Florham was successful on 15 of its 17 clearing attempts.

Up Next: Women's Lacrosse will learn its NCAA placement Monday morning when the full bracket is released. 

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