EASTON, Pa. – Behind the most goals in a game since 2008, the Colgate women's lacrosse program ran ahead to a 22-9 victory at Lafayette.
 
To remain undefeated in league play, nine different players scored while the Raiders gained possession behind Cara O'Reilly's 19 draw control wins, a performance that is the best in the NCAA this season.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
In her first of nine goals on the day, Eliza Soutter opened the scoring by beating the basket of the keeper just 1:24 into the game. She went back-to-back by recovering her own rebound for a 2-0 lead, before Lafayette capitalized on a free position to cut the game to one. Shortly thereafter, Cara O'Reilly reached over the defenders to make it 3-1, just before Soutter immediately followed with a scoop down low for a hat trick tally.
 
Continuing a five-goal run for the Raiders was Sarah Harding as she received a cross pass in for a 5-1 game, before Kyra Lucey's goal was followed up with a quick stick tally by Catie Lang to make it 7-1. The run was temporarily halted as Lafayette scored on a free position, but Lucey was quick with the answer on a free position of her own. Continuing a 9-1 run was Soutter as she scored three straight for a career-best performance.
 
Midway through the half Amelia Cunningham was coming up with big saves to keep Colgate steadily ahead, but as Lafayette scored on two straight free position opportunities, the Leopards were able to narrow the game to 11-4. It was Noelle Patterson who was able to reignite the Colgate momentum, before there was another goal on either end with Lucey capping her first career hat trick for a 13-5 advantage at the half.
 
Opening the second half with a quick one by Grace Bowers, the Raiders offensive onslaught continued as Patterson posted a wide-open tally to hit the running clock. Extending to another four-goal run, Courtney Quirk clocked one of her own before Lafayette bounced one in. It was again Soutter who answered with a bounce of her own for her seventh of the day.
 
Continuing their relentless offense, the Raiders added tallies by O'Reilly and another Soutter pair, as the clock ticked into the final 10:00 while carrying a 19-8 advantage. Even at that point, Colgate didn't let up as CC Senyk converted on a free position in the final minutes for the first of her career, before Quirk capped the scoring with a final-second goal. Behind their most goals since 2008, the Raiders earned the 22-9 victory at Lafayette to remain undefeated in league play.
 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Sophomore Cara O'Reilly's 19 draw control wins are believed to be a Colgate single-game record as the mark is just two shy of the Patriot League all-time record of 21 (Taylor VanThof, Loyola, April 1, 2017). Her 19 draw control wins are the most in a game among all NCAA lacrosse players this season.
• After notching a career-high of six goals in the opening half, sophomore Eliza Soutter completed the matchup with a high of nine. After adding an assist, Soutter had a 10-point day.
• O'Reilly also added three points by two goals and one assist on the day.
• Behind her five-point day (2G, 3A), graduate midfielder Noelle Patterson extends to a five-game scoring streak.
• First-year Kyra Lucey recorded her first career hat trick in a four-point day.
• In goal, first-year netminder Amelia Cunningham posted a season-high of 12 saves through 52:59 of play with just eight goals against.
• Junior Kat Lioudis then made her first collegiate appearance in goal for 7:01 of the contest.
• With her late tally on a free position, sophomore CC Senyk recorded her first career goal.
• The 22 goals are the most for Colgate since a 22-12 victory against Lehigh in the 2008 season.
• Overall, the game featured nine different goal-scorers and 10 different point-scorers.
• Ultimately the Raiders held a 36-26 advantage in total shots and a 24-8 edge in draw control wins. The 36 shots are the most since 38 on April 6, 2019 (vs. Lehigh).
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 22, Lafayette 9
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 4-1 record, and a 3-0 mark in Patriot League action.
• Lafayette is 0-3 in Patriot League play this year.
 
HEAD COACH KATHY TAYLOR'S TAKE
"Our draw team once again led the way today. Cara O'Reilly set a draw control record of 19 and our offense stepped up our assist game. We shared the ball well, by recording 14 assists on 22 goals.
 
"Eliza Soutter was a rock star for us offensively, finishing on several feeds to score nine goals and an assist. Amelia Cunningham turned away 12 shots today, while behind our gritty defense, she allowed only eight goals against during her time in the cage. Today was an all-around solid performance from the whole team."
 
UP NEXT
Colgate returns home to host Army on Sunday, April 4. First draw is set for noon at Andy Kerr Stadium.
 
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate women's lacrosse program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateWLax and on Instagram at ColgateWLax.