GLASSBORO, N.J. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland women's lacrosse team saw their 2026 campaign halted Saturday afternoon (May 9) in the First Round of the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. St. Mary's College (7-11) dropped a 15-7 decision to No. 12 University of Scranton (16-4) as the Royals opened an 11-4 halftime lead.
The Seahawks were making their 13th overall (and fifth consecutive) appearance in the NCAA Tournament after capturing the program's fifth straight United East Conference championship title. SMCM also collected its fifth United East regular-season crown in a row plus its first-ever United East Divisional Championship.
How It Happened
- Scranton jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first minute of the game with two goals in a 21-second span. Unassisted goals by junior midfielder Sanne Elling (Ocean View, Del./Sussex) and first-year attacker Sarah Fitter (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) put the St. Mary's College on the scoreboard and knotted the game at 2-all with 9:58 remaining in the first quarter.
- The Royals responded with seven straight to stake a 9-2 advantage with 8:16 left in the second quarter. Tallies by junior midfielder Hope Harrison (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) and Fitter cut the Seahawk deficit to five with 4:27 to go in the first half. Two more goals by Scranton gave them an 11-4 halftime lead.
- After the Royals notched the first of the third period, junior attacker Grace Maurice (Clinton, Conn./Cheshire) and Fitter found the back of the net to make it a five-goal game once again with 8:44 to go in the third. Eileen Hewitt had a hand in Scranton's final two goals of the period to send her team into the final frame with a 14-6 advantage.
- Maurice struck again at 10:19 in the fourth to cut the deficit before Colleen Mullin finished off the scoring for the Royals with 6:28 left in regulation.
Inside the Box Score
- SMCM kept pace with Scranton in draw controls as each side won 12. Senior captain Katelin Scala (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) earned half of the Seahawks' draws as Scala finished with six.
- Junior goalie Allie Greeley (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) and the St. Mary's College defense limited the Royals to a 1-of-7 effort on free-position shots.
- Scranton outshot the Seahawks, 34-18, while posting a +7-turnover margin as the Royal defense caused 19 of the SMCM's 23 turnovers.
- The Royals doubled up St. Mary's College on ground balls, 28-14.
St. Mary's College Game Notes
- Fitter paced the Seahawks with her sixth hat trick of the season as she scored a team-best three goals.
- Maurice finished with two goals while Scala added two assists.
- Senior captain Carsyn Smith (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) led the SMCM defense with four ground balls and four caused turnovers while junior defender Claire Boudreau (Towson, Md./Towson) contributed three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
- Greeley made 12 saves and scooped up one ground ball.
Scranton Game Notes
- Jillian Lopez led the Royals with three goals and two assists while Allyson Flynn scored three times.
- Hewitt finished with a game-best six points on two goals and four helpers while Eva Guerino turned away nine SMCM shots.
Up Next for the Seahawks
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