Women's Lacrosse Routes Rhode Island College Wednesday, 17-1

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's lacrosse team bounced back Wednesday afternoon, defeating the Rhode Island College (RIC) Anchorwomen in convincing fashion, 17-1, on the USJ Lacrosse Field in West Hartford, Conn. Senior Makenzie Dinger (Higham, Mass.) paced the team with seven points from six goals and one assist. With the result, the Blue Jays improve to 3-1 on the year, while RIC drops to 0-4.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: RIC 1, USJ 17
Records: RIC 0-4, USJ 3-1
Location: USJ Lacrosse Field | West Hartford, Conn.

USJ wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as Dinger took advantage of a free position opportunity, firing past the RIC netminder and giving USJ a 1-0 lead at the 10:58 mark. The Blue Jays found the back of the net again 16 seconds later, as Dinger found senior Cayleen Defaranos (Northford, Conn.) in space, before Defaranos rifled a shot into the net, increasing the gap to 2-0. RIC would try and get a goal back using a free position chance of their own, but freshman goalkeeper Ariel DiSanti (Agawam, Mass.) denied the Anchorwomen of a goal, keeping the score at 2-0 with 6:55 left in the first.

Defarnos increased the gap to 3-0 moments later, netting her second of the game with a solo effort at the five-minute mark. USJ continued to pile on the pressure, but the RIC goalkeeper denied the hosts the chance to increase the lead, as the Blue Jays entered the second quarter leading, 3-0.

DiSanti would start the second quarter with an excellent point-blank save, preserving a 3-0 lead with 13:45 on the clock. Sophomore Maya Tomko (Sparta, N.J.) rewarded her netminder, rushing down the middle of the field, ripping a shot into the net to increase the USJ lead to 4-0. Junior Lauryn Wilks (Hartford, Conn.) made the lead 5-0 moments later, scoring a woman-down goal with 11:35 on the clock. Dinger continued her electric start to the year, scoring back-to-back goals, giving USJ a 7-0 lead with 2:08 left on the clock before halftime. Freshman Julianna Violette (Rocky Hill, Conn.) continued the goal parade, scoring another woman-down goal to give the Blue Jays an 8-0 lead entering the halftime break.

The Anchorwomen looked to gain momentum out of the intermission, scoring 36 seconds into the third quarter, cutting the gap to 8-1. However, USJ put a quick stop the momentum, as Wilks scored her second in the game after receiving a pass from sophomore Morgan Rhoades (Windsor, Conn.), reestablishing an eight-point edge, 9-1, at the 10:42 mark. Defaranos made it 10-1 moments later, completing her hat-trick after rushing towards the goal before firing her shot into the net with 8:07 left in the quarter. Defaranos quickly notched her fourth of the game, scoring from a free position chance, increasing the lead to 10, 11-1, at the 5:30 mark. Sophomore Cayla D'Elia followed up the strike with a goal of her own, giving USJ a 12-1 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Wilks carried the USJ momentum into the fourth, scoring within the opening minute to increase the gap to 13-1. The Blue Jays continued to dominate for the remainder of the game as D'Elia and Dinger combined for four more goals, securing a 17-1 victory.

GOALIE BREAKDOWN

RIC– Olivia Brennan (0-4) picked up the loss, recording 16 saves on the day.

USJ –DiSanti picked up her first career win (1-0) after tallying six saves and allowing one goal in 57:36 minutes of play. Sophomore Abigail Delgado (Southington, Conn.) played the remaining 2:24 in net for USJ.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays quickly return to action, welcoming the Purchase College Panthers to the USJ Lacrosse Field tomorrow, Thursday, March 16. First draw is set for 4:00 p.m.

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