TEANECK, N.J. – Explorers women's lacrosse secured the first win of the 2024 season in a 19-10 win over the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights Friday afternoon.
Katie Johnson led the way in goals scoring six for La Salle.
Follow
@LaSalleLacrosse on X and
@lasallelacrosse on Instagram for updates and content surrounding the team.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- La Salle got off to a red-hot start in the opening minutes of the game. The first goal of the season is credited to Mackenzie Click less than a minute into the contest.
- Katie Johnson followed that goal up with one of her own. Johnson pulled in a pass from Sam Klein to get La Salle on top 2-0.
- From there, the first quarter was all FDU. The Knights tied the game at the 8:36 mark, and then scored four more after that.
- Riley Eaton added two goals for the Knights in that six-goal stretch, before the Explorers would answer back with 14 seconds remaining in the opening frame, thanks to Click.
- The Explorers would begin the second down 3-6, but Alana Lathan and Click teamed up to get La Salle a fourth goal. Lathan assisted on Click's third goal of the game.
- Early in the second, the Knights would continue to answer any goal the Explorers scored. Gina D'Angelo, in her first game with La Salle would score her first goal and make it 6-7.
- FDU would answer yet again before Ellen Stickney would tie the game at eight goals each. The Knights added one more goal, but Johnson would tie it at nine moments after.
- From there, the Explorers exploded for two quick goals to end the half. A free-position attempt by Lathan was successful with 20 seconds remaining. On the ensuing draw control, Maddie Henderson would gather possession and take it down the field for another goal and the 11-9 lead at the half.
- To begin the third, the Explorers made a change at goal, inserting freshman Brooke Nelson between the pipes for her first collegiate action. The Explorer offense did not take a break in the third, scoring right out of the gate. D'Angelo added to the goal total to make it 12-9.
- Goals from Lathan and Click came towards the middle of the frame, both adding to their multigoal day. Johnson capped off a four-goal third quarter in the fifth minute while the Explorer defense held FDU scoreless.
- Johnson would not be done scoring, however, the junior added three more goals in the final frame of play to make it a career day for the attacker from New York. Lathan also tallied another goal in the fourth, her fourth of the day.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- The Explorers earn the team's first win since April 16, 2022 against the George Mason Patriots.
- Today marked the most goals scored for women's lacrosse in a game since the 2021 season. La Salle topped Saint Joseph's 20-14 on April 25, 2021.
- Katie Johnson had a career day against FDU. She scored the most goals (6), took the most shots (8), the most shots on goal (7) and the most points (8) she's had in a game in her career.
- Five different Explorers had multigoal games today. Johnson (6), Click (4), Lathan (4), Stickney (2), and D'Angelo (2).
- Lathan scored a career-high four goals with La Salle today and had a career-high three assists, which was tied for the team lead on the day.
- The Blue & Gold had a strong command in the draw control category today holding the 22-10 advantage. At one point they won 12 straight draw controls, Click bringing in 15 of them herself.
- Nelson had a strong performance in her first collegiate action today saving five shots and only allowing two goals.
UP NEXT:
- The Explorers will return to McCarthy Stadium next Wednesday, Feb. 21st for a 3:00 p.m. match up with cross-town rival Villanova.
- The game can be followed using the Live Stats broadcast.
