KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The No. 12 East Stroudsburg University lacrosse team scored 15 unanswered goals during the first half, en route to a 20-3 victory over Kutztown on Tuesday afternoon at Keystone Field. Graduate student midfielder Hana Cicerelle moved her name up in several categories in the ESU record book in the triumph, recording four points.
The Warriors (5-1, 4-1 PSAC East) conceded just one shot to the Golden Bears (1-5, 1-4) during the first 30 minutes, with graduate student goalkeeper Tatyana Petteway making a save on the attempt. The shutout first half was the first for the ESU defense since March 25, 2018, when the Warriors did not allow a goal to Edinboro in the second half. ESU won that battle with the Fighting Scots, 16-4.
"We came out of the gates hot," said ESU lacrosse head coach Xeni Barakos-Yoder of the fast start. "It was nice to see us put a strong half together."
The reigning PSAC East Athlete of the Week, Cicerelle posted a hat trick and an assist against the Golden Bears. The Broadway, N.J. native moved to sole possession of second place all-time at ESU in points (230) and assists (79), while her 151 goals now rank third in program history. She has scored multiple goals in every game this season, including at least three in each of the past five contests for the Warriors.
Freshman Emily Mitarotonda led the Warriors with five points on four goals and an assist along with four draw controls Shannon Dent also posted four goals, while Madison Bagatta (3 goals) and Gianna LeDuc (2 goals, 1 assist) rounded out the multi-goal scorers for ESU. Kiki Fitzpatrick, Elaina Ohlson, Olivia Wenrich and Krista Mitarotonda were among the nine Warriors goal scorers that found the back of the cage.
Dent scooped up a game-high four ground balls. Brielle Curtis, Dent and Kristen Andreychak all caused a pair of turnovers.
Petteway (5-1) earned her 51st career victory, posting a save on the only shot she faced in 30 minutes. Mackenzie Gaghan (19:15) and Kate McKay (10:45) split action in the second half for ESU in the cage.
ESU led 10-0 after 15 minutes to enforce the mercy-rule timing with limited stoppages. The Warriors posted five goals over the final 15 minutes in the first period to take a commanding 15-0 lead after 30 minutes.
Kutztown recorded its first goal of the contest with 25:08 left in the second half, which snapped a scoreless streak of ESU opponents of 51:09 of game time, spanning the end of the Shepherd contest last Saturday.
Cicerelle's third goal of the contest lifted ESU back to a 15-goal advantage in the second half. KU's best scoring run of the day followed, with the Golden Bears scoring back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to 16-3. The Warriors closed the scoring with four goals over the final 11:27 of the contest, as ESU reached the 20-goal mark for the second consecutive game and third time this season.
ESU led Kutztown in shots (31-10), clears (15-17, 6-16), ground balls (21-15), draw controls (15-10) and free position shots (7-2).
The nationally-ranked Warriors, who have outscored its opponents by a mark of 40 to 7 over the past two games, look to stay hot on Saturday at Shippensburg. The opening draw is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Robb Sports Complex.
