WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Facing the top ranked team in both major polls on the road, the No. 11/8 East Stroudsburg University lacrosse team fell to No. 1/1 West Chester, 16-5, on Tuesday afternoon at Vonnie Gros Field.
The Warriors (5-2,1-1 PSAC East), fall for the second time this season to a nationally-ranked foe, while the Golden Rams (7-0, 3-0 PSAC East) remain undefeated with the win.
ESU was led offensively by
Kiki Fitzpatrick, who registered four goals, securing three draw controls and two ground balls.
Emily Mitarotonda added a goal and an assist, finishing with two ground balls and two caused turnovers, while also earning three draw controls.
Notables
- Two-time PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week Maggie Sell posted another impressive performance, totaling four ground balls and four caused turnovers. Olivia Wenrich added three caused turnovers and a pair of ground balls.
- Mitarotonda, who was named the PSAC East Athlete of the Week earlier on Tuesday, surpassed several career milestones in the contest, including 200 career points, 200 career draw controls and 100 career ground balls. She becomes the eighth Warrior all-time to reach 200 career points. Mitarotonda now ranks fourth in her Warrior career in goals scored (161), tied for 17th in assists (39) tied for sixth in points (201). She has recorded a goal in all 45 games that she has appeared in.
- The win for WCU was just its second over the past six contests against the Warriors. The two squads have met in the NCAA DII Atlantic Region Championship each of the past four seasons.
- ESU GK Riley DiFiore (L, 5-2) made eight saves in the cage.
- West Chester was able to maintain possession, holding a 17-8 edge in draw controls.
- WCU has led by in points by Lindsey Monigle, who distributed five assists and added two goals. Keri Barnett and Julia Littlewood both added four goals, while Hannah Stanislawczyk found the back of the cage three times. Jessica Gorr made seven saves in the cage.
How It Happened
- WCU recorded the first three goals, before the Warriors responded with Fitzpatrick's first goal at the 4:53 mark in the first quarter. Both teams traded goals to close the opening period, with Fitzpatrick depositing a pass from Mitarotonda for the second goal of the game with 26 seconds left in the first. ESU trailed 4-2 after the first quarter.
- The Golden Rams extended its lead to four at 6-2 after two goals to open the second quarter, before Fitzpatrick recorded her first-half hat trick with 8:35 left until halftime.
- Leading 7-3, WCU took control of the game with a stretch of seven consecutive goals to grab a 13-3 lead.
- Fitzpatrick recorded her fourth goal with 1:51 remaining in the third quarter, but WCU registered three of the final four goals. Mitarotonda found the back of the cage with 2:36 remaining, to make it a 10-goal game late and to extend her goal-streak to 45 games. WCU added a goal in the final minute for the final score of 16-5.
Up Next
- The Warriors look to bounce back against Shepherd on Saturday at Whitenight Field.
- The opening draw is set for noon against the Rams.
