SCRANTON, PA (April 6, 2022) -- In a defensive battle at Weiss Field on Wednesday night, the University of Scranton women's lacrosse team held strong to withstand a late Widener rally in the fourth quarter and earned a solid 10-8 non-conference win. 

Sophomore Devyn Tanajewski (Ringwood, N.J. / Lakeland Regional) opened up the scoring on the night as she scored a solo goal at the 10:06 mark in the first period. Both sides continued to fight hard on the defensive end throughout the early stages of the game until Widener was able to tie the game up at 1-1 with just over four minutes to play in the opening period. The Pride took the lead at the 2:02 mark but not for long as sophomoreKayleigh Stalter (Lynbrook, N.Y. / Lynbrook) scored off a feed from freshman Allie Halfpenny (Mount Laurel, N.J. / Lenape) to tie the game up at 2-2 headed into the second quarter. 

Senior Halle Conklin (Point Lookout, N.Y. / Kellenberg Memorial) added to the tally for Scranton early on in the second period. Junior Caroline Miller (Huntington, N.Y. / Elwood-John H. Glenn) then scored a late goal in the closing minutes of the first half as the Royals held Widener scoreless in the second quarter to carry a 4-2 lead into halftime. 

Scranton dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Pride 4-1. Senior Jennifer Williams (Branchburg, N.J. / Somerville) got things going as she scored her first goal of the game in the opeing minute of the third period off an assist from freshman Grace Lane (Long Beach, N.Y. / Sacred Heart Academy). Following a goal from Widener, junior Maggie Smith (Glen Rock, N.J. / Glen Rock) scored off a free-position attempt for Scranton at the 11:43 mark of the third quarter. The Royals added two more goals in the third quarter from the likes of Miller and sophomore Erin Reich (Rockville Centre, N.Y. / South Side) to take an 8-3 lead headed into the final period of the game. 

Reich picked up where she left off to start the fourth as she added back-to-back goals for Scranton and secured her first hat trick of the season. Widener then gained momentum and aimed to make a late push but it was too late as the Royals held on to win 10-8. 

Senior Emily Schum (East Hanover, N.J. / Morris Catholic) was stellar on the defensive end, recording six ground balls, seven draw controls, and five caused turnovers for the Royals. She made several key plays down the stretch to help secure the win for Scranton. Freshman goalkeeper Lauren Boldis (Merrick, N.Y. / Sanford H. Calhoun) was strong in goal again for the Royals, making eight saves on 16 shots faced. 

The University of Scranton women's lacrosse team returns to action on Friday when they travel to Susquehanna University for a Landmark Conference matchup at 7:00 PM in Selinsgrove, PA. 

--ROYALS--