Box Score NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The fifth-ranked Salisbury University women's lacrosse team erased a second-half deficit on Saturday afternoon in Newport News, Va., escaping with a 10-9 triumph over Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) foe Christopher Newport at Jennings Family Stadium.
Audrey Harrington carved out SU's first tally, getting the Sea Gulls (11-4, 1-0 C2C) on the board with a solo score just over two minutes into the battle.
Lauren Hackett joined the fun with 9:37 left in the first frame, answering a CNU response with her sixth goal of 2025 to give SU a 2-1 edge.
The Captains (7-9, 1-1 C2C) answered with two goals in just 28 seconds to nab their first lead of the afternoon, but the Sea Gulls punched back in the final minutes as
Julianna Ott turned a feed from
Grace Doyle into the third maroon and gold goal and Harrington netted her second unassisted strike to put the Sea Gulls in front through 15 minutes, 4-3.
Regan McDonnell answered a CNU game-tying goal with her 16th of the campaign to preserve the SU advantage. The Captains tied the bout with 8:29 left in the half and tacked on two more after nearly six scoreless minutes to lead SU at the break, 7-5.
The Sea Gulls rallied for two quick goals to begin the second half, beginning when McDonnell paved the way for
Avery Dunbar to cut the deficit to one not quite four minutes into the third quarter.
Liz Haney rustled the twine for a game-tying finish with 9:31 left in the third, 7-7.
Doyle answered a two-goal Captain swing with her first score of the tilt, cashing in a feed from Dunbar to pull within one heading into the final stanza, 9-8. After nearly six minutes of scoreless struggle, the Sea Gulls broke through as Dunbar's third assist found a cutting
Alexandra Parker for the game-tying goal with 10:43 remaining.
Another scoreless six minutes ensued before Dunbar unfurled her cape, darting inside the eight-meter and tucking the ball neatly on the top shelf to push the Sea Gulls ahead, 10-9, with 4:27 left in the C2C dust-up.
Abby Fleishell caused a pair of turnovers after the game-winner to help the Sea Gulls leave Newport News, Va. with the come-from-behind win.
GAME NOTES
- Avery Dunbar was the catalyst in SU's C2C comeback, piling up a team-high four points on two goals and two assists while putting all three of her shots on goal and adding a pair of grounders.
- Grace Doyle and Regan McDonnell each added one goal and one assist in the bout. The duo also combined to cause six turnovers and scoop five ground balls.
- Audrey Harrington netted two goals and added two grounders in the win.
- Abby Fleishell caused a career-high five Captain turnovers and secured two ground balls.
- Grace Doy disrupted three CNU possessions and added a pair of grounders.
- Natalie Held secured five draw controls and added pairs of ground balls and caused turnovers.
- Jaclyn Bange entered in the third quarter in relief of starter Paige Ellis and earned her first career victory in goal, making a pair of saves down the stretch to help lift the Sea Gulls. Ellis tallied five saves in the contest.
- The Sea Gulls outshot the Captains 26-25, won the ground ball battle 23-10 and caused a season-high 20 turnovers, the most for SU in a single game since the 2016 campaign.
The Sea Gulls conclude the regular season on Saturday, April 26th, hosting the Eagles of Mary Washington for the team's Senior Day honoring graduating members
Alexandra Parker,
Ellery Stamp,
Madison Hare,
Caroline Daly,
Natalie Held and
Carly Hoffman. The contest is set for a 1 p.m. start at Sea Gull Stadium with Senior Day festivities prior to opening draw.
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 202 conference championships, and have produced 51 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.
