The 16th ranked University of Mary Washington women's lacrosse team defeated St. Mary's College, 10-6, on Wednesday to improve to 10-4 on the season, and 4-2 in Capital Athletic Conference play. The win exacts a bit of revenge for the Eagles, who fell twice last season at St. Mary's.
In a game that featured three huge scoring runs, it was the Eagles who started the action, scoring the first three goals of the game. Junior Holly Hudson started the scoring at 28:57, and Allison Davis followed with another at 27:39. Kate Smucker scored on a Hudson assist with 26:46 left, and after three goals in 2:11, UMW led, 3-0.
Momentum would change as St. Mary's rallied for their first half run, scoring five straight over 4:44 to take the lead at 5-3 with 18:30 remaining before halftime. The Eagles stemmed the tide with a score from Hudson on an Emily Mott assist with 17:44 remaining, and another from Kelsey Vincent on a Mackenzie Maguire assist with 4:40 left to send the game to halftime tied at 5-5.
UMW's pivotal scoring run continued to open the second half, as Maguire scored just 10 seconds into play. Davis added another 31 seconds later, and Sabrina Elliott added another with 21:31 remaining, and suddenly, UMW held a three-goal advantage at 8-5.
Following at St. Mary's goal with 11:26 to play, the Eagles put the matter to rest with scores from Davis with 4:52 left and from Kate Smucker on a Maguire assist with 1:57 on the clock.
Davis led all scorers with three goals, while Maguire added a goal and four assists. UMW led in shots, 17-15, and in draw controls, 12-6. UMW goalkeeper Hanna Ashby had six saves in goal for UMW in gaining the win.
The Eagles will be back in action on Sunday when they host Catholic University at 3:30 p.m. in a nonconference game.