EWING, N.J. (March 7, 2020) - The Devils women's lacrosse team paid a visit to The College of New Jersey on Saturday afternoon for a game versus the Lions. The Devils fell to TCNJ after a strong offensive effort led the Lions to a 20-3 victory. With the loss, the Devils fall to 1-3 on the young season, and TCNJ jumps to a perfect 3-0.
THE GAME
TCNJ struck first with a goal at 28:48 to take early control of the game. The Devils made good of its first seven clear attempts of the day, as they began to force their offense to the TCNJ side of the field. The experience of FDU's senior core showed throughout the game, as the group remained active in the afternoon. The Devils' first two draw-control victories of the day came the way of seniors Nina Shirey, and Aliyha Elk. On the ground fellow upperclassmen, in juniors, Hannah Bhend and Kayla Brunner secured two ground-ball pickups for FDU. At 23:21, freshman goalkeeper Maddy Apap continued to show growth behind the net, as she stifled the attempt to score by the Lions. Not long after, at 11:21, Apap stopped another TCNJ attempt, as she came up with another save.
Following yet another successful clear attempt at 9:59, The Devils surged past the TCNJ defensive unit, as junior Mia Michaelides' shot attempt landed wide of the goal. However, the Devils were able to rebound as freshman Kylee Garcia took the ball herself to the net for the Devils score.
In the second half of the game, the Lions continued to feed off of the momentum that they established in the 30 minutes prior. In its first shot attempt of the half, the Lions attempt was no good, as Apap recorded her third save of the contest. At 21:06, senior Madison Wood got in on the action, as she fired away a shot that the Lions goalie was forced to corral in. In the half, the Devils streak of bringing the ball to the other end of the field continued, as they made good of their first two clear attempts of the half.
At 9:49, Wood took advantage of a free position attempt as she launched the ball past the Lions goalie for the Devils' second score of the contest. With 6:34 ticking down on the game clock, Garcia stepped-up once more for FDU, as she hit the back of the net for her second goal of the game.
STAT SHEET
In her fourth collegiate game, Garcia records the second multi-goal game of her career/season. Following her performance on the afternoon, Garcia brings her goal total to a team-best seven on the 2020 season. Fellow freshman Apap tallied five saves in the contest, which continues her streak of recording at least five saves in a game. As a team, the Devils totaled six ground balls and seven clears. On the defensive end, the Devils caused the Lions to turn the ball over 12 times. Bhend, Elk, Shirey, and junior Olivia Chaoush all caused turnovers for the Lions.
FROM COACH
"Never an outcome you want when playing a good team, but we fought with a top 20 team in the country and know we need to work to become better as individuals and as a group.
We are learning everyday and excited for the progress we have made. It's time to put it together and show the ability we have and the team we are capable of being. Our spring break trip allows us another opportunity to get on the field against a strong team and we will be working hard to take what we have learned from today's game and getting better for tomorrow" - Head Coach Evan Mager
UP NEXT
The Devils have their eyes set on Hilton Head, South Carolina, as they travel for a spring break matchup versus Curry College on Tuesday March 10 at 11 AM.
