KINGSTON, R.I. — Tied at 9-9 entering the fourth quarter, Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse scored five unanswered goals to pull away for a 14-9 victory over Rhode Island on Saturday in the regular-season finale.
 
Megan Sanelli and Ellie Webb each struck early as the teams traded goals through the opening minutes. Saint Joseph's closed the first quarter on a 3-0 run, fueled by a pair of goals from Olivia McCloskey, to take a 5-2 lead.
 
Emma Yoder extended the advantage to four early in the second quarter before Rhode Island responded with a 4-0 run to tie the game at 6-6. The Hawks regained momentum late in the half, as Sanelli and Riley Bittinger scored in the final 3:26 to give Saint Joseph's an 8-7 lead at the break.
 
Rhode Island evened the score early in the third, but the Hawks' defense held the Rams scoreless the rest of the period. Bittinger netted the go-ahead goal with 5:52 remaining in the quarter to send Saint Joseph's into the fourth with a 9-8 edge.
 
The Rams tied the game on their opening possession of the final frame, but Bittinger answered with her third go-ahead goal of the afternoon to spark the decisive run. Goals from Kate Kaptrosky and Alexa Capozzoli pushed the lead to three, and McCloskey added two late insurance scores to seal the 14-9 win.
 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Olivia McCloskey led the Hawks with four goals on four shots.
• Riley Bittinger recorded her second career hat trick, adding an assist.
• Alexa Capozzoli finished with one goal and three assists, tying the program record with 243 career points (Shannon Feite '97).
• Megan Sanelli and Kate Kaptrosky each scored twice as the midfield accounted for six goals.
• Annalise Thaler made seven saves in relief, allowing just two goals in the second half.
• Saint Joseph's held advantages in shots (30-23), ground balls (14-13) and draw controls (13-11)

 
UP NEXT
Saint Joseph's advances to the Atlantic 10 Championship and will face Davidson in the quarterfinals. The 2026 tournament will be held in Davidson, North Carolina.