EAST STROUDSBURG -- After scoring seven unanswered goals to begin the game, the sixth-ranked East Stroudsburg University lacrosse team cruised to a 16-3 win over Shepherd on Saturday afternoon at Whitenight Field.
The Warriors (13-1, 9-1 PSAC East) inches closer to a PSAC Tournament first round bye with the dominant victory, adding the maximum seven goals to its PSAC East goal differential. The Rams drop to 4-10, 2-8 in conference action.
Notables
- Leading the offense once was Kiki Fitzpatrick, Emily Mitarotonda and Madison Bagatta, who combined to contribute 13 of ESU's 23 points on the afternoon. Fitzpatrick led the way with five on two goals and three assists, while Mitarotonda scored four goals and Bagatta chipped in two goals and two helpers.
- Gianna LeDuc added two assists and now has 38 during the 2022 season, which ranks second-most in a single season in program history.
- Maddie Heck, Sophia Graffeo and McKenna Conklin each contributed two goals, while Oliva Chory and Hannah Campbell also added goals for the Warriors.
- Defensively, Kayleigh Pokrivka tallied a new career best eight caused turnovers, while scooping six ground balls. The York native reached a pair of milestones with her first caused turnover and ground ball, eclipsing 200 career ground balls and 150 caused turnovers on the same play. She now has 205 ground balls and 157 caused turnovers during her illustrious Warrior career.
- Mitarotonda added two caused turnovers and five draw controls. Maggie Sell also caused multiple turnovers and scooped five ground balls.
- Allie Sweeney was a ball hawk, scooping four ground balls on the afternoon.
- In goal, McKenzie Gaghan (W, 8-1) picked up the win, making seven stops in goal and allowed just one shot past her for ESU during the first three quarters. Bella Gismondi played the final quarter, allowing a pair of goals and made one save.
- Shepherd was led by Sidney Kelly, who scored all three of SU's goals and Katherine Campbell, who assisted on all three of Kelly's goals.
- ESU led in shots (33-16), shots on goal (26-11), ground balls (27-24) and draw controls (14-8).
How It Happened
- The Warriors built a 7-0 lead before conceding a goal with 9:24 left in the first quarter. ESU did not let the Rams get any moment, shutting down the Rams' offense until the fourth quarter.
- ESU expanded its lead to 14-1 in the fourth quarter, before SU scored two fourth quarter goals, as ESU held on to win the dominant contest by a final score of 16-3.
Up Next
- The Warriors head to Shippensburg on Wednesday for its final regular season road contest. First draw is set for 4:00 p.m. against the Raiders.
- ESU returns to Whitenight for Senior Day on Saturday, April 30 against Bloomsburg.
