ST. CHARLES – It was a year of firsts for the Lindenwood women’s lacrosse team in its inaugural campaign as an NCAA Division 1 program last season.
On Friday, the Lions began year two with a thunderous roar.
Logann Eldridge scored six goals, Alissa Digiacinto added five and Ryleigh Cavanaugh dominated the draw circle as Lindenwood cruised to a 20-6 victory over San Diego State in the Lions’ season opener at Hunter Stadium.
“I think the dust has settled a little bit,” Lindenwood coach Jack Cribbin said of starting year two at the Division 1 level. “Last year, everything was a first. This year, we wanted to make sure the vibe at practice was stellar.”
‘Stellar’ may be an understatement to describe the first quarter for Lindenwood.
Kym Ardrey caused a turnover after a brilliant defensive possession by the Lions, and Eldridge quickly converted it into the opening goal. On the ensuing draw, Cavanaugh corralled one her 11 draw controls and Kiley Davis deposited a left-handed rocket into the net to make it 2-0.
After sophomore goalie Elizabeth Goth denied an 8-meter, free-position opportunity, Eldridge scored in transition to give Lindenwood a 3-0 lead just 3 minutes 45 seconds into the contest.
“Getting off those first three shots just killed the nerves and gave us the confidence to settle down and play our game,” Eldridge said. “It was amazing how well everyone worked together today.”
San Diego State took a timeout, but the barrage of goals did not stop. Digiacinto scored on a scramble near the crease, then Isabella Rulapaugh circled in from behind the net, Davis drove down the alley, Eldridge converted from 8-meters. When the dust settled, a goal-scoring explosion had produced a 10-1 lead for Lindenwood after 15 minutes of action.
“That was as good of a quarter as we’ve played in the NCAA Division 1 era, and maybe ever,” Cribbin said. “We were just clicking on all cylinders.”
Another save by Goth on an 8-meter attempt led to freshman Digiacinto’s fourth goal. It also triggered a running clock situation less than 18 minutes into the game.
In the third quarter, Digiacinto added a fifth goal with a tough drive through the middle of the Aztecs’ defense. She also contributed an assist and a pair of draw controls in her first collegiate game.
“It was a great experience,” Digiacinto said. “My team was by my side encouraging me the whole time.”
Lindenwood finished its first year in Division 1 with an 8-10 record last season, including a 15-9 loss at San Diego State in a game the Lions trailed by six goals at halftime.
On Friday, Lindenwood entered halftime with the energy absorbed after watching the prettiest goal of the game. Rulapaugh snagged a full-extension interception in the midfield, found Digiacinto racing ahead, who spotted Eldredge sprinting to the back post for a beautiful tic-tac-toe goal and a 13-3 lead at the half.
“We’ve spent the entire preseason working on our chemistry as a team, building relationships, learning each other’s tendencies, and when you understand the girl next to you, the team plays so well,” Eldridge said.
After yielding the opening goal of the second half, Lindenwood scored the next seven and opened a 20-4 lead. In all, eight different players scored, including Sara Grieco, Breylin Bright, Meredith Parry and Isabella Jahkhah.
The 20 goals tied the mark for the most goals scored by the Lions as a Division 1 program, first achieved in a 20-5 victory at Manhattan on Mar. 5, 2023.
“We’ve been training and preparing for this game for quite some time,” Cribbin said. “This team’s culture is something special right now. They’re playing hard for each other, and I’m so glad they were rewarded with a victory today.”
Lindenwood plays its first road game at Radford on Feb. 14 before returning home to host Louisville at noon Sunday, Feb. 18. It will be the first time a women’s lacrosse team from the Atlantic Coast Conference will visit Hunter Stadium.
The Atlantic Sun conference schedule begins Mar. 30 at Coastal Carolina.
“We’re excited,” Cribbin said. “We believe we’re just getting started.”