via PBA press release, by Brad Seitz, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

BOX SCORE

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic women’s lacrosse team returned home for their first game at the Rinker Athletic Campus in over two weeks against Fort Lewis. The Sailfish jumped out to an early lead and were able to hold on comfortably throughout as they earned the 16-11 victory. The win takes the Sailfish record to 2-5 on the season.

It didn’t take long for the Sailfish to get on the board, as Anna Laskaris scored just 31 seconds into the game to give PBA the lead. Kaelin Deneui scored two minutes later to double the Sailfish lead in what turned out to be a high-scoring opening quarter. Kelly Lyons scored to make the game 3-1 in a quarter where the ‘Fish outshot the Skyhawks 9-5. PBA scored on seven of those nine shots and dominated draw controls in the opening quarter, winning nine of ten, as the Sailfish went on a 5-0 scoring run to close the first quarter and open the second. Kiki Cinotti scored two goals in the run as Ella Howlin, Katie Avena, and Laskaris all also managed to find the back of the net as the Sailfish led 9-2. 

Just when it looked like the Sailfish had a comfortable position in the game, Fort Lewis hit back with a 5-0 run of their own in the second quarter to cut their deficit to just 9-7. The Sailfish were outshot 12-5 in the second as goalie Courtney Rausch was able to make three of her seven overall saves in the period. Avena ended the run by scoring her second goal of the game with 20 seconds remaining in the half as the ‘Fish led 10-7 at the break.

The Sailfish started the second half with another big offensive quarter as they scored six goals to put the Skyhawks away for good. Mattie Davis got the first goal for the ‘Fish in the quarter, followed by Deneui. The lead was still just three goals when PBA went on a scoring run that put the game away. Howlin scored two goals as Cinotti and Addyson Johnson found the back of the net to put PBA up 16-9. 

PBA dominated draw controls on the day, led by Sara Metheny, who was two shy of a school record with 12. The Sailfish won 23-of-31 as they were able to control the ball and comfortably run out the clock. PBA outshot the Skyhawks 35-23 on the game as Howlin led the way scoring four goals for the ‘Fish. Cinotti scored a hat-trick while adding one assist while Laskaris, Deneui, and Avena all scored twice. Defensively, Jillian Kolakowski led the way with two caused turnovers while Cinotti and Megan Jackson each led the Sailfish in ground balls with three.

It was a good win for the Sailfish before they open-up Sunshine State Conference play next week. They will begin that stretch on April 2 when they will host Rollins at 1:00 pm. The Tars are a perfect 9-0 on the year and ranked No. 9 in the latest IWLCA poll.