HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 2, 2024) - Senior Emily Leiby scored six goals and added an assist, as the No. 17 Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team defeated Rowan 16-15 in a non-conference contest Saturday afternoon at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

The Ducks start the year 4-0 for the third-straight season. The victory was the third at home for Stevens this year. Stevens is now 14-7 all-time against Rowan, including winning the last three. Rowan drops to 2-1 with the loss.

It was a goal fest in the first quarter as the teams combined for 10 goals. After the Profs struck to open the game, Leiby tallied her first goal to tie it at one. Senior Zoe Cook scored with 12:36 to go, with Leiby assisting. It gave the Ducks their first lead of the game. Rowan would tie the game at two, but Leiby put the Ducks back up front with her second of the game. Rowan would then knot things up again, but Zoe Cook struck back on an assist from junior Rebecca Guerra to go up 4-3. Rowan scored the final three goals of the quarter to lead 6-4 after one. The Profs would then score the first three goals of the second to take a 9-4 lead. Head coach Karen Basciano called a timeout after the ninth Prof goal, and the Ducks then went on a 4-0 run to end the half. Guerra, Leiby, junior Anna Velardi, and sophomore Stefanie Sellitto all scored, as the Ducks trailed 9-8 to end the half. 

The Duck momentum rolled over into the second half, as the Stevens would go on an extended 9-0 run to go up 13-9. 28 seconds into the third, Leiby scored with a player-advantage to tie the game. Less than a minute later, Guerra put the Ducks in front. Junior Emily Smart, Zoe Cook from a free-position, and Leiby scored the other goals as the Ducks took the four goal lead. Rowan would finally end their drought by scoring two in the third, but each goal was answered by the Ducks, as sophomore Maddie Hogan recorded the first, and Leiby adding the second, as Stevens led 15-11 after three. Across the first nine minutes of the fourth, Rowan scored three goals to get within one of the Ducks. It became tense late, but Zoe Cook eased some of that with a goal at 4:38 to put the Ducks up two. However, the Profs would get one back with 1:39 on the clock to make it a one-goal game. Rowan had the ball in the attacked zone with a chance to win it at the end, but they fell short, as the Ducks escaped with the 16-15 victory.

Top Performers

• Leiby recorded seven points and corralled nine draw controls.
• Zoe Cook totaled five points and had seven draw controls.
• Guerra had two goals and two assists.
• Seven Ducks picked up a ground ball.
• Zoe Cook and sophomore Lauren Sullivan each caused two turnovers.
• Sophomore Felicity Heilferty (4-0) made three saves. Sophomore Emma Guzowski made two saves. Each goalie played 30 minutes.

The Opponent

• Fiona Lockhart scored three goals and added an assist.
• Trish Gillen and Elaina Corson each had two goals and two assists.
• Mel Rogers made eight saves.

Around the MAC Freedom

• DeSales 18, Alvernia 10 F/FRI
• Delaware Valley 8, Albright 15
• Bryn Mawr 6, Arcadia 20
• FDU-Florham vs. Montclair State 2 p.m.
• TCNJ vs. Lebanon Valley 3 p.m.

Up Next: The Ducks are back in action next Saturday as they host No. 7 York. The Ducks will be trying to "Pack the Pond" for the Duck Country game, and free t-shirts will be given out to those in attendance. The game is set for 12:00 p.m. The Ducks are 1-4 all-time against the Spartans, which includes last year's NCAA Tournament game, which saw York win 8-6. Links for live stats and video are posted to stevensducks.com