SALISBURY, Md. – The fourth-ranked Salisbury University women's lacrosse team opened the 2025 season in the win column, locking down the Stevenson University Mustangs late to earn an 8-6 victory on Friday evening inside Sea Gull Stadium.
Audrey Harrington logged the first goal of 2025 for the Sea Gulls (1-0), burying a shot from the eight-meter to put the hosts in front less than four minutes in. The Sea Gull defense lifted the squad with three caused turnovers across the ensuing six minutes before
Alexandra Parker found
Regan McDonnell to push the lead to two with under five minutes to go in the opening period.
The Mustangs (0-1) fired back with a pair of free-position finishes just 54 seconds apart, tying the game at 2-2. McDonnell notched her second score with a marker from the fan less than 50 seconds later before a Mustang goal with 24 grains of sand left in the hourglass set tally at 3-3 through 15 minutes.
The tune of the second stanza was a defensive one, seeing the teams combine for four turnovers and a shot clock violation across the opening seven minutes. Stevenson broke the scoreless run with 7:23 to play in the half, taking its first lead of the contest at 4-3, before
Miranda Mears yanked the matchup back to a tie with an eight-meter rocket.
Harrington and Mears connected with just 74 seconds left in the half, placing the maroon and gold in front by one at the break, 5-4.
Paige Ellis found a groove in the third quarter, saving a trio of Mustang tries in the second half's early minutes.
After a free-position finish that tied the contest at five,
Julianna Ott provided the Sea Gulls with an unassisted score to restore the lead entering the final 15, 6-5. Four straight draw controls by
Abby Fleishell provided opportunities for Parker's second assist to
Carly Hoffman and Ott's second score, widening the margin to 8-5 with just over 13 minutes to go.
The Mustangs got one goal back, but the Sea Gull defense forced a pair of turnovers down the stretch to help secure the 8-6 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Julianna Ott, Miranda Mears, and Regan McDonnell each fired two goals in the win. McDonnell also shared a team-high with two caused turnovers.
- Audrey Harrington logged two points with her first goal and assist of 2024, putting both of her shots on target.
- Alexandra Parker distributed a pair of assists in the win.
- Abby Fleishell tallied two ground balls and caused a pair of turnovers.
- Reagan Davis caused a pair of turnovers and added one ground ball.
- Grace Doy scooped two grounders and caused one miscue.
- Paige Ellis was strong in her first career start, making eight saves at a 57 percent clip.
- The Sea Gulls finished 15-of-16 on clears and caused nine turnovers in the triumph.
The Sea Gulls don't have to travel far for their next game, welcoming the Cardinals of Catholic to the nest next Saturday, Feb. 15th. The contest is slated for a 4 p.m. start inside Sea Gull Stadium.
Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (football, men's & women's swimming) and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse). With over 500 student-athletes in 23 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the nation's most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have won a combined 23 team national championships, 24 individual national championships, and 201 conference championships, and have produced 50 Academic All-Americans.
To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.
