PHILADELPHIA — Kaitlin Nieczpiel set a program record with 15 draw controls as the Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team used a balanced offensive attack to power past La Salle, 22-9, on Saturday afternoon at Sweeney Field.
 
After La Salle (3-10, 0-5 A-10) scored the game's first two goals, Saint Joseph's (5-6, 4-1 A-10) responded with seven straight from five different scorers to seize control by the end of the first quarter.
 
Kate Kaptrosky opened the second-quarter scoring to complete her hat trick as the Hawks netted five of the first six goals of the frame, extending the lead to 12-3 midway through the period. The Explorers answered with three of the next five goals, but strikes from Olivia McCloskey and Kate Fuhrman helped Saint Joseph's take a 14-6 advantage into halftime.
 
The Hawks put the game out of reach in the third quarter, holding La Salle to just one goal while scoring six times to push the lead to 20-7. Emma Yoder led the way in the frame with two goals as five different Hawks found the net.
 
La Salle opened the fourth quarter with two goals, but Savannah Saunders responded with her second of the game before Sofia Slootsky capped the scoring with 1:33 remaining to seal the 22-9 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Thirteen Hawks recorded a point, led by Riley Miller with five (3g, 2a). Miller also added six draw controls and three ground balls.
• Alexa Capozzoli and Kate Fuhrman each posted four points (2g, 2a).
• Machaela Henry and Kate Kaptrosky each recorded hat tricks, marking their first three-goal games as Hawks.
• Savannah Saunders added two goals, giving her four in four games this season.
• Emma Yoder scored twice, the seventh Hawk to register multiple goals.
• Megan Sanelli, Devon Maillet, Olivia McCloskey, Ellie Webb and Sofia Slootsky each added a goal. Slootsky has scored in every appearance this season.
• Kaylyn Williams recorded her first assist of the season, adding a caused turnover, three ground balls and three draw controls. It marked just the second point of her career.
• Kaitlyn Nieczpiel's 15 draw controls set a new program record, surpassing the previous mark of 13 set in 2023.
• Tess Talbot made five saves in her first career start to earn the win.
• Saint Joseph's outshot La Salle 53-18, recording the second-most shots in program history, and held advantages in shots on goal (39-16) and draw controls (25-8).
• The Hawks have now won 11 straight meetings against La Salle, the longest streak in series history.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Joseph's returns to action Wednesday, April 1, hosting Delaware at 4 p.m.