Teaneck N.J.- On this day of March 25th, the FDU women's lacrosse team (1-6) achieved a historic feat by securing their first program victory against Howard (0-5). The Knights displayed several remarkable performances that contributed to their triumph.
1st:
- The Knights swiftly took the lead within 45 seconds with a free-position goal by Alyssa Perez.
- Howard responded with two goals of their own, but Brielle McInaw managed to level the score at 2-2 with her 16th goal of the season.
- Howard regained the lead through a Quai Skeete-Ridley goal.
- Lindsey Felician managed to even the score again with a free-position shot.
- Perez scored her second goal of the game reclaiming the lead for the Knights.
2nd:
- Perez continued her impressive performance and secured a hat-trick with 11:20 left on the clock, courtesy of an exceptional assist from Saige Lyn-Gidzinski.
- Just a minute later, Gidzinski scored her first goal of the game with an assist from Riley Eaton, granting the Knights a three-goal lead.
- Perez continued her amazing performance with another goal which made it four on the day.
- The Bison scored a goal to cut the lead to three through Tea Vasquez.
- Riley Eaton scored her first goal of the game with a well-placed assist from Saige Lyn-Gidzinski, who recorded her second assist of the day.
- Howard quickly answered again to keep the Bison within striking distance.
- The Knights capitalized on the shorthanded Bison as Perez scored her fifth goal of the game.
- Howard responded with a goal of their own, but the deficit remained three going into halftime.
3rd:
- The Knights started the second half strong with four unanswered goals.
- McInaw opened the scoring with her second goal of the game from a free position, followed by Eaton's second goal, extending the Knights' advantage to five.
- McInaw made it a hat-trick for herself with 8:38 left in the quarter off a great assist from Eaton, her second of the game.
- Karina Velez-Corretjer extended the FDU lead to 7 while Eaton secured her third assist of the game.
- Howard managed to score their only goal of the half through Kimora Williams, but the Knights remained firmly in control.
- Gidzinski scored her second goal of the game while the Bison were shorthanded.
- Perez scored and set a new program record for most goals in a game with her sixth of the game.
- McInaw then extended the lead to nine with her fourth goal and 19th of the season.
4th:
- Gidzinski scored back-to-back goals for her third and fourth of the game to give the Knights an 11-goal lead. For the second goal, Gidzinski scored a spectacular behind-the-back shot that left the Bison defense helpless
- Eaton made it a hat-trick for herself with seven minutes to play.
- Ashley Brown scored her third goal of the season which made the score 20-7.
- Velez-Corretjer scored the final goal of the game which was assisted by Eaton for her sixth assist of the game to bring the final score to 21-7.
"It feels amazing! We are so excited about our first win ever! Very proud of our team." stated coach Pandolf. "We learned how to win today. Even when we felt like the momentum was shifting we did well responding and shifting it back on us today.
Alyssa Perez and
Riley Eaton stepped up huge today on the offensive side of the ball.
Brielle McInaw and Saige Gidzinski are always our consistent point scorers. But they worked very well together today on the draw control. They are a huge reason why we had possession on offense."
The Knights will head to Staten Island, N.Y. to face Wagner next Saturday, April 1st. The game will be played at Hameline Field where you can watch live or Stream on NEC Front Row.
To purchase inaugural season merchandise head to ShopFDUKnights.com.
Connect with FDU women's lacrosse on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWLAX.
