EAST STROUDSBURG – In a thriller defensive battle, the No. 12/9 East Stroudsburg University lacrosse team never trailed, holding on to defeat Kutztown, 11-10, on a cloudy Wednesday afternoon at Whitenight Field.
The Warriors (9-2, 5-1 PSAC East) pick up its fourth consecutive win and take sole possession of second-place in the PSAC East. The Golden Bears (7-3, 4-2 PSAC East), who received votes in the latest IWLCA Coaches Poll, drop to third place in the division with the loss.
Emily Mitarotonda and
Madison Bagatta combined for 11 points to pace the offense, while Warrior goalkeeper
Riley DiFiore posted 14 saves in the impressive win.
ESU head coach
Xeni Barakos-Yoder returned to the sidelines after missing the first 10 games of the season when she was on medical leave for the birth of her second child. Barakos-Yoder now sports a 96-25 record since taking over as head coach of the Warriors prior to the 2016 season. Warriors' assistant coach
Rachel Ward led ESU to an 8-2 record to start the season, with the lone losses coming against the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the current IWLCA Coaches Poll.
Notables
- Mitarotonda was a force once again, as the reigning PSAC East Athlete of the Week produced four goals and distributed two assists for six points to lead ESU. She scooped three ground balls and earned eight draw controls, while also causing a turnover.
- Mitarotonda inches closer to the all-time career goals record in program history, now with 178 goals in just 49 games at ESU. She now needs just 12 goals to break Kristin Restivo's 189 career goals record set in 2000. In career points, she is now tied with Barakos-Yoder's former teammate Molly O'Hara (2008-11) for fourth place with 221. She needs an even 50 points to surpass all-time leader and current ESU volunteer assistant Hana Cicerelle (270, set in 2021).
- Bagatta totaled five points on a hat trick and added two assists, earning three draw controls and two ground balls.
- Freshmen Jolee Roth (1G, 1A), Hannah Schiemer (1G) and Lauren Hallman (1G) also registered at least a single point.
- Defender Maggie Sell caused two turnovers and scooped three ground balls in another impressive performance. Seven Warriors tallied a single CT on the afternoon.
- Both goalkeepers were terrific in their respective cages, with DiFiore's 14 saves and nine goals allowed, while KU's Jenna Blesson made 13 saves and allowed 10 goals.
- Lailah ElBouazzaoi and Shannon Lake each recorded a hat trick for the Golden Bears. Emma Meakim distributed five assists and also tallied a goal for 16 points.
- ESU held advantages in saves (14-13) and draw controls (15-8), while having one less turnover (20-19). KU led in shots (30-27) and ground balls (29-19). Both teams had 23 shots on goal and took four free-position shots.
- The Warriors now lead the all-time series against KU, 22-8, and extended its winning streak to 11 consecutive games against the Golden Berars dating back to 2014.
How It Happened
- The Warriors got off to a fast start with three consecutive goals in the opening period. Bagatta notched two, while Mitarotonda tallied the second goal for ESU. KU countered instantly with its first goal after Bagatta found the back of the cage for the second time in just 17 seconds after the draw took place. ESU took a 3-1 lead into the second quarter.
- ESU took a game-high four goal edge at 5-1, with goals from Roth and Mitarotonda. Meakim scored next for the final goal of the first half, as the Warriors took a 5-2 lead into the third quarter.
- The Golden Bears were able to maintain momentum, scoring the first two goals of the second half to cut the deficit to just one at 5-3. Bagatta picked up her hat trick to lift ESU to a two-goal lead, but the relentless Bears continued to fight back, with ElBouazzaoui scoring her second of three goals to make it a one-goal contest once again. Hallman wrapped up the third period scoring by depositing a pass from Bagatta, as ESU led KU, 7-5, after three quarters.
- Schiemer found the back of the cage to open the fourth quarter with a woman-up goal with 10:38 to play. KU countered again in just 18 seconds to make it a two-goal game and followed up just 18 seconds later again to make it an 8-7 contest with just under 10 minutes remaining.
- Mitarotonda picked up her 40th goal of the season to extend the lead back to two goals, but once again, KU made it a one-score game with 6:23 left.
- Mitarotonda contributed her fourth goal next, taking over the game with 5:42 left. The Golden Bears were able to fine the back of the cage one more time with a woman-up goal to make it a 10-9 contest.
- ESU held the ball without a shot clock with less than 90 seconds to go, but turned the ball over. After a Golden Bears timeout and a chance to tie the game at 10, KU could not put a shot on goal, losing possession on a turnover. The Warriors held on to the ball the rest of the way, to pick up the crucial PSAC East victory.
Up Next
- No. 12/9 ESU returns to action on Saturday against Millersville at Whitenight Field. The opening draw is set for Noon against the Marauders.
