Hoboken, N.J. – The No. 20 Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team secured a thrilling 12-11 victory over the University of Scranton on Saturday afternoon, scoring two of the final three goals to clinch the win.
 
Lauren Sullivan anchored the Ducks' (4-2) defense with four caused turnovers, while Grace Lane led Scranton's attack with four goals.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Stevens wasted no time, striking three times in the opening three minutes. Alison Lax put the Ducks on the board just 37 seconds into the contest with an unassisted goal. Lax doubled the lead just over a minute later, finishing a feed from Emily Leiby. Maddie Hogan added to the early surge with an unassisted tally, giving Stevens a quick 3-0 advantage. Scranton gained its first possession after a save on a Hogan shot, but Sullivan forced a turnover, sparking a transition opportunity. Rebecca Guerra found Emily Smart, who buried her shot to extend the lead. Stevens dominated the first quarter, outshooting Scranton 15-1 while forcing eight turnovers.
 
The Ducks pushed their advantage to 5-0 five minutes into the second quarter when Leiby netted her first goal of the afternoon off an Anna Velardi assist. However, Scranton responded with a four-goal run to pull within one before tying the game with 3:18 remaining in the half. Stevens regained the lead just before the break, as Smart finished a feed from Leiby to make it 6-5 at halftime.
 
Through two quarters, Stevens held a 20-10 shot advantage and forced 12 Scranton turnovers while going a perfect 5-for-5 on clears.
 
Sullivan opened the third quarter with a highlight-reel play, taking a pass from Eran Gleason behind midfield and racing the length of the field to score the first goal of her career. The teams traded goals throughout the period before Scranton struck twice late, evening the score at 8-8 heading into the final frame.
 
The Royals took their first lead of the day just over two minutes into the fourth, but Leiby responded with a man-up goal at the 11:51 mark off a Smart assist. Stevens reclaimed the lead midway through the quarter when Stefanie Sellitto netted an unassisted tally. Scranton answered again, tying the game at 10-10 with 6:26 to play.
With time winding down, Abby O'Brien found Alison Murray in front of the net, and Murray delivered, firing her shot into the back of the cage with just one second left on the possession clock to put Stevens ahead 11-10.
 
Scranton had a chance to equalize, but a free-position shot clanged off the post, and the Royals turned the ball over. Stevens capitalized, patiently working the ball around before Leiby found Smart for her fourth goal of the game, extending the lead to 12-10. The Royals got one back with 58 seconds remaining, but Sellitto secured the ensuing draw control, allowing the Ducks to run out the clock and seal the win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Sullivan's goal was the first of her career.
• Sellitto dominated the draw, securing a season-high 13 draw controls.
• Smart was clinical, converting all four of her shot attempts while adding an assist and two ground balls.
• Leiby contributed three assists to go along with two goals.
• Lindsay Esposito tallied two caused turnovers and four ground balls.
• Goalkeepers Emma Guzowski and Felicity Heilferty combined for three saves. 

UP NEXT
The Ducks continue their homestand on Wednesday, hosting the University of Chicago at 4 p.m.