Box Score READING, Pa. -- Stevenson women's lacrosse did not trail in rolling to a 23-7 road win at Alvernia in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth opener.
Stevenson (6-4, 1-0) pushed its winning streak to four consecutive contests, asserting itself with a dominant third quarter that started the running clock. Putting an emphasis on finishing their large volume of shots this season, the Mustangs posted a season-high scoring output with the most goals in a game since early in the 2021 season.
McKenna Blick dazzled with seven goals on nine shots, adding three ground balls and two more caused turnovers. Kaitlyn Kozlowski notched a single-game program record with 12 draw controls, while Caroline Murphy posted a game-high eight points on five goals and three assists.
Alvernia (6-5, 0-2) dropped its third consecutive contest and second in conference play. Three Golden Wolves posted a pair of goals each with Erika Whitmoyer turning in a strong effort on the day with two goals and an assist.
With the score knotted at one early, Stevenson used a six-goal surge to pull ahead comfortably in the opening frame. Blick, Mary Marc, Murphy and Kara Yarusso all found the back of the net as part of an impressive start. The Mustangs were particularly strong in the free-position category in mounting their lead, notching four alone in the first quarter. Ahead 7-2 entering the second, the Mustangs stretched their lead to 11-4.
Benefiting from multiple scorers, Stevenson logged four of five goals during an onslaught in the second with markers from Blick, Lan Le Crotty, Marc and Caity Schaefer before Kaitlyn Kozlowski rounded out the scoring in the first half.
The Mustangs stormed out of the gate in the third quarter with six consecutive goals. Blick got the clock rolling with her fifth goal of the day, coming at 12:13 in the third. The Mustangs continued pouring it on with an overwhelming second half that extended into the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs outscored Alvernia 11-2 in the second half and held the edge in just about every statistical category. The Mustangs also posted a 26-19 advantage in ground balls.
Sophie Shucosky earned the win with six saves before Caitlyn Lane played the final six minutes of the contest.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Stevenson remains unbeaten against Alvernia, pushing its lead to 9-0 overall.
- Tayla Wibecan was one of the tone-setters on the defensive end for the Mustangs in the first quarter, scooping up three ground balls with a caused turnover. The stout defense helped lead to offense, allowing the Mustangs to open up a 7-2 edge that only expanded.
- Five different Mustangs had a pair of caused turnovers as Stevenson used a balanced approach, complimenting their seven different goal scorers in the opening half alone.
- Blick stuffed the stat sheet in multiple categories, posting her third outing of the season with at least five goals.
- Murphy increased her career point total to 175, now just one shy of a tie for eighth all-time in program history.
- Murphy's eight points mark her highest single-game total since last March against Delaware Valley, where she racked up 14 points on nine goals and five assists.
- Stevenson last scored 23 goals in a 23-11 road win at Albright in 2017.
- Kozlowski posted a new season-high draw control tally with 12, one more than her impressive night against Mary Washington in March.
- Maddie Zeller got on the board with her first goal of the 2022 season on a free-position shot with 1:00 minute remaining in the contest.
UP NEXT
- Stevenson: The Mustangs are back for consecutive conference home matchups, beginning with a showdown against Hood on Wednesday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m.
- Alvernia: The Golden Wolves return to the field against Messiah on April 6.
