Savannah, Ga. (March. 10, 2020) - The FDU women's lacrosse team overpowered the opposing Curry College Colonels on Tuesday afternoon by a score of 21-2. The 21 points scored by the Devils is their most scored in a game for the program dating back to 2015 when they bested Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom foe, Wilkes, by a score of 24-17. Senior Aliyha Elk shined in the victory for the Devils, as she posted a new single-game scoring high with six goals. Behind Elk, five other Devils recorded at least two scores. With the win, the Devils go to 2-3 on the season, as Curry falls to 1-3. 

FIRST HALF 

In a game that featured an offensive outburst by the Devils, it is no shocking to find out that it took them little time to get their first goal of the game. The Devils were primed to score out of the gate, as they quickly took the ball down past the Curry defensive unit. The Devils recorded two early shot attempts, as at 29:38, an earned free position attempt by junior Olivia Chaoush was blocked by the Colonels. Not long after, at 29:02, junior Mia Michaelides had her scoring try saved by the Curry goalkeeper. After two close scoring opportunities, freshman Kate Musselman gave the Devils it's first of 21 scores on the afternoon, as she fired off a shot for the score, off of an assist by senior Madison Wood. Michaelides added to the Devils early lead with a score of her own at 24:56, to put FDU in front at 2-0. Less than 20 seconds later, at 24:39, Elk would establish the beginning of what would be a career day for the senior as she made good of a free position attempt. For their third goal in a one minute span, it was Chaoush again as she tacked on to the Devils lead with a score.

Up 4-0, it was Elk again for the second of six times, as she took advantage of another free position attempt to give FDU their fifth score. Elk would continue to provide the Devils two more goals to complete a 3-0 run of her own over the Colonels. At 19:43 and 18:32, Elk took the ball herself for scores. At 17:58, the Devils recorded their second assist of the contest, as senior Nina Shirey found Musselman for the shot and score. Shirey's passing would continue to be a theme for the Devils, as she assisted on a goal from Wood at 16:59. Like her classmate Elk, Wood started her own 3-0 run, as she scored at 14:59 and 13:25, to extend the FDU lead to 11-1. The score at 14:59 by Wood came off an assist by junior Hannah Bend, and the goal at 13:25 came via a pass from freshman Kylee Garcia. 

At 11:08 Wood got involved in the Devils offensive outburst in a different way, as she assisted on a goal from Musselman. The junior Bhend took a pass from Michaelides at 8:42 for a goal of her own. Standing with the 13-1 advantage, Elk and Chaoush gave the Devils their final two scores of the half, as the team went into the halftime break with a commanding 15-1 lead over Curry.

MOMENTUM CONTINUING

Two of the pillars to the Devils offensive performance, Elk and Chaoush combined for the Devils' first two scores of the half at 21:12 and 19:32, to extend their lead to 17-1. Despite being given a free position attempt at 13:10, the Curry offense could not get the ball past FDU freshman goalie MaddyApap, who added to her eight save performance with the stoppage. At 12:12, it was Apap once more, as she stuffed the Colonels' attempt to cut their deficit. At 10:03, FDU was the benefactors of a man-up situation, as Bhend fried past the Colonels' goalie for the goal. Up 18-2, Apap helped to keep the Devils in the drivers' seat, as she saved back-to-back Curry attempts to score, at 8:36 and 8:24. 

Despite facing a man-down situation, Bhend executed once more at 7:06, to extend the FDU lead to 19-2. The Devils used two more goals, including a goal by Garcia off of an assist by sophomore Avery Ahart with 36 seconds ticking on the clock, to cement the victory, 21-2. 

NO SLOWING DOWN

In the programs' best offensive performance since 2015, seven different Devils added goals. The scores came off of 11 assists by FDU, which came from six different Devils' players. Behind a career-afternoon by Elk, the Devils received three goals off the sticks of Bhend, Chaoush, Musselman, and Wood. Michaelides chipped in two scores for FDU. With three assists, Wood led all FDU players. Behind her, the trio of Bhend, Michaelides, and Shirey added two apiece. 

THE ADVANTAGES 

In goal, Apap saved eight of Curry College's scoring attempts. The Devils held victories in several categories, including Draw Controls (17-7), Shots (34-16), and Ground Balls (18-14). FDU also capitalized on their clear attempts, as they went 17-21.

FROM THE HEAD COACH

Evan Mager on the offensive play of his team

"We came out strong today from the first whistle.. after our last game we wanted to focus on ourselves as a team, and get to the level of lacrosse that we know how to play.  Everyone had the opportunity to contribute today which was great to see. 7 different goal scorers, 5 with hat tricks or more."

Evan Mager on the play of Freshman goalie Maddy Apap

"I am really proud of the team playing the way we did after a lot of travel, our freshman have really stepped up, and Maddy had a great day in goal for us."

Evan Mager looking head to teams upcoming games 

"We stepped up on both ends of the field, our hope is to continue the growth and take the momentum into our next game on Saturday."

UP NEXT 

The Devils will return to the confines of Robert T. Shields Field on Saturday, March 14, as they host Lebanon Valley College at 1 PM.