WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Albion College women's lacrosse team picked up a non-conference victory over Washington & Jefferson College, defeating the Presidents 18-13 on Tuesday, Mar. 3 at Alexandre Stadium. For the Britons (3-1, 0-0), their three wins through the first four games are the best program start since the 2015 campaign.
Trailing the Presidents by two early in the opening period, junior Abby Sheklow dished to sophomore Destiny Okon from behind the net for the dunk. Moments later, senior Darcy Muns dashed through the W&J defense for the quick strike to even the game, 2-2 through the first five minutes.
Sophomore Chrystelle Lopez capitalized on a free-position opportunity while Muns buried a shot into the upper right-hand corner to help the Britons take a 4-3 lead. Muns continued to put on a shooting clinic adding another goal shortly afterward. Halfway through the first half, senior goalkeeper Jenina Villabroza denied a President attacker in a one-on-one scenario. The California native followed this up by blocking a backhand shot in front of the crease on the ensuing W&J possession.
The Presidents halted the Britons' progress netting three-straight goals to retake the lead, 6-5. However, Sheklow would connect with Okon once again to tie the game at 6 apiece. Three minutes removed from the halftime whistle, Villabroza made another defiant save against an unguarded member of the Presidents. With nine seconds remaining, Muns found freshman Addie Pastor for the score to build a three-goal edge going into the half, 10-7.
Sheklow opened up scoring for the Purple and Gold in the second half with an assist from Pastor. After a W&J strike, the Britons went on a three-goal run with scores from Okon, Muns, and senior Kate Mullins.
Sheklow showed off her prowess netting an unassisted behind-the-back goal to give the Britons a 17-11 cushion at the 10:19 mark of the second. W&J's Sarah Labovitz scored one last goal to trim Albion's advantage to five. Villabroza continued to thwart the Presidents, making an impressive free-position save with under three minutes to go in regulation to capture the win for the Britons, 18-13.
Okon (4g, 1a), Muns (4g, 2a), Sheklow (3g, 2a), Pastor (2g, 2a), and Lopez (2g, 2a) all recorded at least four points in tonight's offensive showcase. Mullins finished with a hat-trick and grabbed three groundballs. On the defensive end, juniors Natalia Catanzarite and Paige Dredge combined for eight groundballs and three caused turnovers.
Villabroza stymied Washington & Jefferson registering 15-of-28 (54%) saves, two groundballs, and a caused turnover all while surpassing 400 saves in her career. Her 15 saves are tied for the sixth-most in a single game in program history. The Glendale, California product's outing marks the twenty-first time in her career she's recorded double-figures in saves in a game.
The Britons finished the night beating the Presidents 19-to-14 in draw controls and 36-to-32 in shots.
The final stop on the Britons' Spring Break trip will be in Frostburg, Maryland as they take on the Frostburg State University Bobcats (Division II). Gametime is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 6 at 5 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium.
Get the latest information on the team by following @AlbionWLacrosse on Twitter and Instagram. General athletics news can also be found at GoBrits on Twitter, AlbionAthletics on Instagram and Albion College Athletics on Facebook.
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu