MADISON, N.J. (April 27, 2019) – On Senior Day, the FDU-Florham women's lacrosse seniors combined for 12 goals as the Devils downed Wilkes University 17-2 Saturday afternoon.

FDU improves to 9-7 overall, 6-1 within the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom, as Wilkes falls 6-9, 0-7 in conference play. With the victory, the Devils locked the No. 2 seed in next week's MAC Freedom Championship Tournament.

The Colonels opened the scoring 2:15 into the game, but senior Caroline Pape won the ensuing draw and raced down the field to score the equalizing tally 15 seconds later. The free position goal started a stretch of 16 straight goals by the Devils, spanning the halves.

Senior Makenzie Staffordsmith gave the Devils the lead they would not surrender nearly seven minutes later before senior Caitlyn Damon doubled the FDU lead with 19:11 left in the stanza. Pape would add five more markers during the first half while sophomore Mia Michaelides registered a pair of goals. Senior Kathleen Petrucelli along with juniors Aliyha Elk and Madison Wood all tallied a goal and an assist in the first 30 minutes of play.

The Devils defense was the story of the first half, holding Wilkes to just 3-of-13 clearing attempts while forcing 17 first-half turnovers. FDU also held a 21-7 edge in ground balls while entering halftime.

FDU got the opening two goals of the second half from two unlikely sources. Seniors Leah Eble and Madeline DeFelice, playing in their final regular-season contest, recorded the first goals of their careers midway through the stanzas before rookie McKenzie Hurt added her first collegiate goal on a free-position attempt.

In a postgame ceremony, the Devils honored seniors Megan Nemeth, Erin Gill Jessica Haddad, Damon, DeFelice, Eble, Staffordsmith, Petrucelli, and Pape.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
•    Pape filled the stat-sheet with six goals, two assists, six draw controls, and four ground balls while going a perfect 2-for-2 in free-position attempts.
•    Nemeth made seven stops en route to her ninth victory of the year.
•    Gill, who usually serves as the backup goalkeeper, played midfield today and notched a pair of draw controls.
•    Petrucelli, junior Rafaella Morais, and sophomore Hannah led the way with four caused turnovers each.
•    FDU matched a season-high with 34 ground balls.

UP NEXT
The Devils will host No. 3 seed DeSales University on Wednesday. First draw is scheduled for 4 p.m.