Women’s Lacrosse now sits 4-0 in their 2024 season following a 16-15 victory over Rowan University on Saturday, March 2.
The team began their season on Saturday, February 3, when they completed an exhibition match against Messiah University, followed by a second exhibition match against Muhlenberg College on Sunday, February 18.
The Ducks’ first non-exhibition match of the season served as their Cancer Awareness Game. Taking on Bates College, the Ducks went 10-8 on Wednesday, February 21. By the end of the first quarter, the Ducks would find themselves 3-3 with Bates, before falling behind by two at half. During the third quarter, the team managed another three to tie themselves up, but would eventually take another three to lead them 9-7 going into the fourth quarter. Sophomore Maddie Hogan would score goal numbers nine and 10, bringing her total for the day to two goals and an assist. Junior Rebecca Guerra totaled two goals and two assists during the game, with senior Emily Leiby and sophomore Stefanie Sellitto each adding another two of their own. This game also marked head coach Karen Basciano’s 100th career victory.
Leiby upped her career goals on Saturday, February 24 when she scored five against the University of Mary Washington. The first half of the game proved a challenge for the Ducks when at the break, they saw themselves down 5-2. Then, just 39 seconds into the second half, Leiby scored her second goal of the game. Eventually, the Ducks would propel themselves to a 9-8 victory, with graduate student Zoe Cook scoring two, her first two of the season, and Hogan and junior Anna Velardi each with one of their own.
Just four days later on Wednesday, February 28, the Ducks upped their win margin when they came out victorious over Kean University. By the end of the first quarter, the Ducks were up 5-1, a lead they would maintain throughout the game. By half, the team saw a six-point lead. Though Kean would begin to find their footing in the third quarter, scoring four goals, the Ducks one-upped them, leading 15-8 going into the fourth. Sellitto totaled nine goals during the game- a career-high and junior Emily Smart totaled nine assists, a program-high. Both players would see career-high points during this game, Selitto with nine, and Smart, along with her two goals, with 11. By the end of the game, the Ducks wiped the Cougars 19-9, a 10-point victory margin, the greatest in the 2024 season.
In their Alumni Appreciation Game against Rowan University, the Ducks began down 4-6 and 8-9 in the first and second quarters respectively. Unwilling to lose their win streak, the team scored seven in the third quarter, while Rowan was only able to score two. The fourth only saw one more, but it was enough to secure their fourth victory of the season. Notably, Leiby had six goals and one assist, and Cook had four goals and one assist.
Tomorrow, Saturday, March 9, the team will take on York College of Pennsylvania at DeBaun Athletic Complex. Come support your fellow Ducks at their Fill the Pond/Duck Country Game at noon!
