EAST STROUDSBURG -- Paced by a combined 14 points from Kiki Fitzpatrick and Gianna LeDuc, the East Stroudsburg University women's lacrosse built a 15-0 lead and cruised to a 21-3 victory in a PSAC crossover matchup against IUP on Friday morning at Whitenight Field.

The No. 7 Warriors (3-0) remain perfect on the season entering PSAC East action next week, while the Crimson Hawks (2-1) were handed their first loss of the season.

Notables

• Fitzpatrick posted a career-day of six goals and two assists against the Crimson Hawks, totaling eight points to lead the Warriors. The redshirt junior from Sayville, N.Y. now leads ESU with 11 goals on the season and ranks second in points with 14. She also led ESU with six draw controls and scored on all six of shots she took.
• LeDuc continued her fast start to her graduate student season, registering four goals and two assists for six points against IUP. The reining PSAC East Athlete of the Week has recorded at least four points in each game this season and leads ESU with 18 points and eight assists through three victories.
• Fellow graduate student Maddie Heck and sophomore Emily Mitarotonda, each totaled four points, with Heck totaling a hat trick with three goals and added an assist. Mitarotonda contributed two goals and two assists for four points.
• Madison Bagatta and Sophia Graffeo each posted two goals, while Oliva Chory and Mac Maloney each found the back of the net for the first time this season.
• Mary Fitzsimmons rounds out the Warriors who recorded points with an assist.
• In the cage, freshman Bella Gismondi allowed just two goals in through the first three quarters, making three saves in her third win of the season. Senior McKenzie Gaghan made four saves and allowed just a single goal during the final quarter.
• ESU led 33-13 on shots, 26-10 on shots on goal, 7-5 on saves, 12-24 on turnovers, 28-16 on ground balls. IUP held a slim 14-13 lead on draw controls.

How It Happened

• The Warriors dominated from the opening draw, as ESU built a 12-0 halftime lead. Fitzpatrick found the back of the net four times to lead the offense in the opening 30 minutes. Heck, Mitarotonda and Graffeo and LeDuc each added a pair of goals in the first half to account for the 12 goals.
• ESU continued to add to its big advantage to begin the second half, with Bagatta and Fitzpatrick (2x) adding scores to make it a 15-0 lead. IUP got on the scoreboard with 4:08 left in the 3rd quarter, but ESU quickly added a pair of goals, making it a 17-1 contest. The Crimson Hawks added its second goal with 20 seconds to goal in the third frame, as ESU took a 17-2 lead into the final quarter.
• The Warriors did not step off the gas pedal adding goals from LeDuc Heck, Maloney and Chory in the fourth quarter. IUP added the final goal of the contest with 4:10 remaining, as ESU remained undefeated with the 21-3 win over the Crimson Hawks.

Up Next

• ESU is set to open PSAC East play at home against Millersville on Wed., March 16.
• The opening draw at Whitenight Field is set for 3:00 p.m. against the Marauders.