The Stevenson women’s lacrosse team capped off their final stretch of non conference play, going 1-1 in Florida and traveling to Neumann, including dominant wins over Nazareth and Neumann, and a hard-fought loss to No. 8 Wesleyan.
Second-year attacker Ava Treakle shared how crucial these last three non-conference games have been for the team. “They’ve allowed us to see some better opponents before going into conference play and help us gain momentum.”
The Mustangs (6-4) opened their spring break campaign with a commanding 19-10 win over the Nazareth Golden Flyers (3-3) on Monday. Kara Yarusso got things started early, netting the first goal just two and a half minutes into the first quarter.
Although Nazareth responded, Stevenson surged ahead with goals from Erin Steinberg and Sophia Murray. Yarusso and Murray each added another goal late in the first to maintain a 5-4 Mustang lead.
Stevenson built momentum in the second quarter, with Ava Treakle opening the frame. Nazareth tried to keep pace, but a pair of goals from Steinberg and Kellyann Coccia extended the lead.
Despite a late push from the Flyers, Yarusso completed a first-half hat trick to give the Mustangs a 9-7 edge at the break.
The third quarter saw Stevenson pull away with a five-goal run, including Treakle’s second and third goals, Murray’s third and fourth, and tallies from Olivia Galati and Steinberg. By the end of the quarter, Stevenson led 14-8.
The Mustangs continued their offensive push in the fourth, with goals from Galati, Steinberg, Coccia, and another from Yarusso, sealing the 19-10 victory.
Steinberg led the way with five goals and two assists for a seven-point day. Murray added four goals and an assist, while Yarusso notched a hat trick and two assists.
Treakle also earned a hat trick with an assist, and both Coccia and Galati contributed two goals and one assist apiece. In goal, Anna Johnston and Regan Torbert combined for nine saves.
Two days later, Stevenson faced a major test against the No. 8 Wesleyan Cardinals (5-1), ultimately falling 13-5.
The Mustangs held the high-powered Cardinals scoreless until the final five minutes of the first quarter, when Wesleyan went on a four-goal run.
Galati put Stevenson on the board in the second quarter, assisted by Yarusso, but Wesleyan responded with five straight goals to take a 9-1 halftime lead.
Despite goals from Ava Treakle, Sophia Murray, and a pair from Steinberg in the second half, the deficit proved too much to overcome.
Steinberg led the offense again with two goals, while Coccia handed out two assists. Torbert made 12 saves and forced two turnovers in net. The loss dropped the Mustangs to 5-4, setting up a bounce-back opportunity in their return home.
Back up north, Stevenson closed out its nonconference slate with a 17-11 road win over Neumann (4-6) on Tuesday afternoon. Erin Steinberg got things going early off a feed from Isabelle VanEmburgh, and Galati followed with a goal and assist to help Stevenson take a 3-2 lead after the first quarter.
Katherine Friedman opened the second with her first goal of the season, assisted by Coccia, and the Mustangs began to find their rhythm. Neumann stayed close, tying the game at 6-6, but Stevenson erupted with a five-goal streak before halftime. Steinberg, Coccia, Murray, and Treakle all found the back of the net as the Mustangs took an 11-6 advantage.
Though Neumann outscored Stevenson in the third quarter to make it a 12-10 contest, the Mustangs responded with another offensive surge in the fourth.
Yarusso opened the final frame with a goal, followed by Steinberg, who notched two more goals to finish with five on the day. Yarusso added two more for a hat trick, while Coccia and Galati continued to fuel the offense.
Steinberg finished with a game-high six points (5 goals, 1 assist), while Coccia tallied five (2 goals, 3 assists). Yarusso added three goals and an assist, and both VanEmburgh and Galati recorded a goal and two assists.
Treakle and Murray each scored twice, with Murray also securing 11 draw controls and leading the team in ground balls. Johnston and Torbert combined for 12 saves in the win.
In the win, eight different mustangs scored throughout the game. Erin Steinberg shared how the team and their offense has clicked as of late.
“We have just grown as a unit together. We have gained so much chemistry especially over spring break. The bond has grown on and off the field and it’s starting to click and show through our creativeness and ability to put the ball in the back of the net. I am excited to see it continue through conference play.”
With their non conference schedule behind them, the Mustangs now shift their focus to MAC Commonwealth play.
First up, Messiah. Stevenson ended the Falcons season last season when they defeated them 10-9 in the MAC Semifinals. Sophia Murray shared how the team is preparing for the Falcons.
“We are preparing for Messiah similarly to how we have prepared to play other teams by reviewing film and educating ourselves on their strengths and weaknesses, in addition to pinpointing our own weaknesses on both ends of the field and working to limit them. At this point in the season, we know what we need to do to win against Messiah, so our preparation this week will demonstrate whether or not we can learn from our mistakes and play to the best of our ability for a whole four quarters.”
They’ll open conference action at home against No. 24 Messiah on tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Mustang Stadium.
