FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Women's Lacrosse team fell 20-5 against No. 18 Wilmington (Del.) at home on Monday afternoon.
The Wildcats started the game off taking the first draw control, with a green card quickly leading to an early woman-up goal. Senior Neila Haney won the resulting DC and freshman Avery O'Hara's shot high of the net, then after the sides traded turnovers, WilmU doubled their advantage. O'Hara then had an effort saved as FSU looked for their opening score, however it would be Wilmington to net the next goal for a 3-0 lead after six minutes.
With the Wildcats looking to continue their offense, they were halted by senior Izzy Kelly causing a turnover, with junior Maya Mosslih picking up the groundball that eventually led freshman Caitlyn Mariscano to send a free position shot into the back of the net to make it a 3-1 game. With just under five minutes remaining, the Wildcats netted a pair of of goals a minute apart, while Haney and freshman Delaney Burrows each scored solo efforts to put FSU within 5-3 heading into the second period.
It took just under a minute for WilmU to take advantage of another Frostburg card to begin the next frame, then through the next seven minutes, just one shot between both teams was saved by each goaltender. Wilmington netted a pair of quickfire goals just after the midway point, while the Bobcats were able to net one of their own as senior Daniella Boss found Haney. The Wildcats wouldn't be deterred, as they put two more in the back of the cage before the half ended, taking a 10-4 lead into the break.
FSU tried to find some momentum in the third, as junior Kelly Johnson started things by taking the draw, which led to Haney shooting one that hit off the right post. A failed clear then allowed WilmU to grow the advantage to seven while Frostburg struggled to put shots on target. Haney was the lone Bobcat to force a save over an 11-minute stretch, as Wilmington put in another three unanswered to lead by 10. After taking the resulting draw, Haney made a great spin move after being found by freshman Chloe Zeruto, firing into the top left corner for a 14-5 score after three.
The Wildcats dominated the early portion of the fourth quarter, as FSU didn't manage a shot until five minutes in, with the visitors able to score twice in that timeframe. Haney saw another shot come off the post, then Zeruto put an effort wide before back-to-back WilmU goals had them up by 13. Frostburg's remaining three efforts saw Haney denied twice by the keeper while senior Emily Lamoreaux sent one off the mark, with two more Wildcat goals giving them the 20-5 final.
Haney led things offensively for the Bobcats with a hat trick while also grabbing a game-high eight draw controls. Mosslih had a career day defensively, causing four turnovers while scooping up a personal best seven groundballs.
With the loss, Frostburg drops to 4-2 as Wilmington improves to 7-0 on the year. The Bobcats are back at home on Wednesday, March 18, as they face Lock Haven at 2 PM. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.
