MADISON, N.J. (May 1, 2019) – The FDU-Florham women's lacrosse team tallied 12 first-half goals en route to a 16-1 triumph over DeSales University in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Semifinals Wednesday.

FDU improves to 10-7 overall and will face either No. 1 seed Misericordia University or No. 4 seed King's College Saturday at a time to be determined. DeSales drops to 10-7 with the setback.

The Devils had their first three shots of the afternoon stopped by the Bulldogs goalkeeper, but the fourth one nearly five minutes in put FDU on the board. Junior Madison Wood fed sophomore Mia Michaelides for the goal and the Devils kept the pressure rolling. Sophomore Aliyha Elk nearly doubled the lead a minute later, but her attempt rang off the crossbar.

FDU racked up three goals within 27 seconds after the Elk attempt. Michaelides, senior Caroline Pape, and sophomore Hannah Bhend all tallied goals, with Michaelides and Pape notching free-position tallies. Four minutes after the Bhend marker, senior Kathleen Petrucelli potted a goal off a DeSales turnover in the defensive end.

After a DeSales yellow card, Petrucelli converted a Pape pass for a man-up goal midway through the stanza. With 12:59 remaining in the period, Petrucelli had a shot stopped by the goalie, but Pape scooped up her miss and deposited it for her second goal of the day. Petrucelli netted the next two goals before junior Madison Wood closed out the first-half scoring with 48 seconds remaining on the clock.

FDU attempted 31 shots in the opening 30 minutes of play while forcing 17 Bulldog turnovers. The Devils scooped up 23 ground balls in the half, while senior Megan Nemeth made six first-half saves.

Michaelides completed her hat trick 5:08 into the second half before the Bulldogs recorded their first and only tally of the night. After a yellow card to DeSales, senior Caitlyn Damon registered the Devils' second man-up goal of the afternoon, with this one coming on a free-position attempt. Bhend and Pape capped the Devils scoring off late in the second half to close out the Devils victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
•    With the victory, the Devils advanced to their fifth consecutive MAC Freedom Championship Game.
•    Nemeth made nine saves in 50:01 minutes of action before senior Erin Gill made one in 9:59.
•    Pape had three goals, four assists and six draw controls as Petrucelli netted a team-high four goals and two helpers. 
•    Sophomore Nina Shirey forced six turnovers while adding five ground balls, while senior Leah Eble caused five turnovers with three ground balls.
•    Michaelides recorded her first career hat trick and established a career-high with four points.