MADISON, N.J. – Behind a six-goal game by junior Joelle Manganella, the Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham women's lacrosse team was able to soar past the Eastern University Eagles 19-9 in a MAC Freedom game on Saturday afternoon at Robert T. Shields Field.
The six goals ties a career-high for the junior attack, who also recorded an assist in the Devils' (9-6, 4-0 MAC Freedom) win over the Eagles (4-10, 2-2 MAC Freedom). Fellow junior Brienna Reasoner also supplied a spark on the offensive end with four goals and she wreaked havoc on defensive side with three caused turnovers.
Freshman Caitlyn Damon and junior Frances Maggio contributed to the Devils' high-scoring performance by each recording a pair of goals in the game.
Within the first two minutes of action, Manganella had already found the back of the net twice. Her first score was assisted by junior Brittni Calleo, who happened to also score the third goal of the game for FDU-Florham.
The Devils capped off an early 4-0 run with a Reasoner score that was assisted by Maggio.
Eastern cut the deficit to three once Eva Ehrhardt buried a free position shot, but the Devils responded by going on an 8-0 run to grab a 12-1 lead.
The Eagles controlled possession of the ball late in the opening half and they added a goal on a free position shot by Anna Charlebois.
After the Devils put another score on the board off a shot by Makenzie Staffordsmith, the Eagles placed a shot into the back of the net before the halftime horn sounded.
The lead was extended to 13 once the Devils opened up the second half on a 3-0 run. However, the Eagles began to chip away and they went on a 4-0 run of their own that was capped off by a Steph Biancucci free position score.
Reasoner won back-to-back draw controls for the Devils late in the second half and she scored two consecutive goals to put FDU-Florham up 18-7.
Following another free position shot and goal by Charlebois, the Devils scored off of a shot from Damon. The Eagles added one final goal in the game before the game came to a close and FDU-Florham hung on to grab the conference victory.
The Devils will be back in action on Tuesday, April 26 for a road conference game against Delaware Valley University at 4 p.m. in Doylestown, Pa.
