ANNVILLE, Pa. – Elizabeth Morgan and
Molly Whisler each scored two goals for the Lebanon Valley women's lacrosse team in a hard-fought 16-4 defeat to 14th-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon at Arnold Field.
The Dutchmen (7-6, 1-2 MAC Freedom) became the first conference team to score on the Ducks (9-4, 3-0 MAC Freedom) this season in a game that was a defensive battle during the first quarter.
Chloe Moser won the opening draw control before a turnover gave Stevens its first offensive possession. The Ducks put a shot wide, and then scored the first goal of the game a little over two minutes in. The teams traded turnovers, and Stevens was awarded the first free position shot of the game. The attempt went wide, and then
Gigi Ditsky picked up a loose ball to give the Dutchmen possession. LVC was unable to get a shot off on their possession after a good clear. The Ducks doubled the lead with just over eight minutes on the clock with an unassisted goal. Moser won the following draw, and after a Stevens card, Kyla Herbert had a shot go wide. Whisler also had a shot go wide a few minutes later as the Dutchmen battled against a stout defensive performance. Stevens scored with just under three minutes to play in the quarter to increase their lead. Ditsky made a pair of saves over the final three minutes, and the Dutchmen finished the quarter with the ball.
The Ducks were able to put some distance between the teams with an eight-goal second quarter, including four goals in the first six minutes.
Kamille Bagapuro had a shot saved to begin the quarter. Ditsky made a pair of saves at the other end before Stevens snuck a shot into the back of the net. Stevens started a quick string of three goals within a minute on a free-position goal. They added two more quick goals to take a 7-0 advantage. The Dutchmen called a timeout to regroup. The defense responded valiantly over the next five minutes and held the Ducks without a goal after receiving a pair of cards. Whisler cut the deficit to 7-1 on a free position goal with 4:12 to play in the half. The Ducks responded with four goals over the final three minutes to go up 11-1 at the half.
Stevens started the second half with a card in the first 16 seconds. The Ducks picked up a loose ball in the midfield and worked off the penalty. They added a goal a couple of minutes later to go up by 11. The Ducks kept the pressure on the Dutchmen with a pair of goals midway through the period while controlling the draws. SIT scored their fourth goal of the quarter with just over three minutes on the clock.
Nina Humpf won the next draw, and after working the ball around, Morgan fired a shot into the back of the net for her 24th goal of the season. Moser won the following draw control, and the Dutchmen finished the quarter with possession of the ball.
LVC came out firing in the fourth quarter as Morgan put a shot wide before having a shot saved.
Anna Ridlon caused a turnover on the clear attempt and picked up the ground ball.
Katie DeWitt and Whisler put shots wide before Morgan eluded a defender and scored her second goal of the game to cut the lead to 15-3. The Dutchmen kept battling as
Annelise Vetter caused a turnover, and after a good clear, Whisler missed the goal high, and then Humpf had a shot saved. The Dutchmen forced another turnover and scored another goal. Morgan found Whisler cutting through the middle for her 34th goal of the season. Stevens controlled the following draw, and after trading turnovers, the Ducks were able to score with just over three minutes to play. Dewitt had a shot blocked, and Vetter caused two turnovers and picked up the ground balls over the final three minutes.
Inside the Box
- Morgan had three points on two goals and one assist. The junior has recorded points in every game this season. The attacker recorded her eighth multi-goal game of the year and has 25 goals.
- Whisler recorded her ninth multi-goal game with two goals on five shots. The senior is a perfect 3-3 on free position shots this year.
- Vetter led the defensive effort with four caused turnovers and four ground balls. Ridlon added two caused turnovers and one ground ball.
- Humpf and Moser won three draw controls each. Moser also had three caused turnovers and five ground balls.
- Ditsky made 10 saves in the net and picked up one ground ball.
Up Next
The Dutchmen will look to rebound on Wednesday, April 15, with a trip to Madison, New Jersey, where they will face FDU-Florham. The opening draw against the Devils is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Robert T. Shields Field.
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