WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The No. 3 SCAD Savannah women's lacrosse team made a massive statement on Saturday afternoon, going on the road to defeat Sun Conference rival No. 5 Keiser University 12-5 in a highly anticipated top-five matchup.
RECORDS: The Bees improve to 10-2 (5-0 SUN) on the season, while the Seahawks fall to 11-2 (3-1 SUN).
HOW IT HAPPENED: SCAD struck early and often in a tone-setting first quarter. The Bees' offense came out firing, netting five goals in the opening 15 minutes while the defense held Keiser to just two. The fast start gave SCAD a 5-2 advantage heading into the second frame.
The second quarter turned into a more defensive battle, but SCAD managed to extend its lead. The Bees added two more goals while limiting the potent Keiser attack to just a single score, taking a confident 7-3 lead into the halftime break.
Coming out of the half, both defensive units clamped down. The third quarter saw only two combined goals, with each team finding the back of the net once, making it an 8-4 game.
In the fourth quarter, SCAD put the game out of reach. The Bees' offense surged for four goals in the final frame to slam the door on any hopes of a Keiser comeback. The SCAD defense remained incredibly disciplined, allowing just one goal over the final 15 minutes to secure the dominant 12-5 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Ellen Benintendi led the offensive charge with an incredible seven-point performance, netting a game-high five goals and dishing out two assists. She also added three draw controls, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers.
- Lilah Herold recorded a hat trick, scoring three goals on five shots.
- Karley Holland added two goals and two caused turnovers.
- Annise Berkeley played a key role in the offense, contributing one goal and two assists for three points.
- Maddie Krohn chipped in with one goal and was a crucial factor on the draw, securing four draw controls.
- McKinsey Brown and Mollie Geiger each added an assist.
- The Bees' defensive effort was relentless only allowing 13 shots. Maddy Hahn was everywhere, leading the team with three caused turnovers and four ground balls. Rylen Gray contributed two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
- Goalies Chloe Zundel and Lorna Fowles split time in the cage to anchor the defense. Zundel earned the win, making three saves in the first half, while Fowles stepped in for the second half and recorded two saves while allowing just two goals.
WHAT'S NEXT? The Bees remain on the road for another top-ten showdown as they travel to Marietta, Ga. to face No. 7 Life University on Saturday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m.
