SAINT LEO, Fla. – Sophomore
Sallie Squire set the Embry-Riddle Women's Lacrosse single-season scoring record in the 14th-ranked Eagles' 18-8 defeat of No. 22 Saint Leo in Sunshine State Conference play on Saturday. Squire scored a game-high seven goals to eclipse the 66-goal mark set by Mya Watson in 2018. She currently sits at 67 goals on the year.
Saturday's win signified a couple of program firsts for the Eagles. In addition to earning the first win against Saint Leo since the series started in 2018, the Eagles also secured a spot in the four-team Sunshine State Conference tournament and will make the program's first postseason appearance when the tournament gets underway on April 27.
A three-goal first quarter for the Eagles began with Squire scoring on a free position shot. The Lions managed to tie the score at 1-1, but a free position goal by
Paige Jones and an unassisted score by
Alexa Zeruto gave the Eagles a 3-1 leading heading into the second.
The Blue and Gold turned things up offensively in the second period, outscoring the home team 6-2 in that frame. The game was close (4-3) until Madison Elwood finished a Zeruto pass to increase the lead to two goals (5-3). After
Anna Maurer assisted on goals by Kenley and
Alexa Zeruto, she got into the scoring column herself at the 2:36 mark.
Ellie Daily won the draw for the Eagles and got the ball to defender
Emma Telatovich who raced down the field and passed the ball to Maurer for the Eagles' eighth goal of the day. The assist was the first of Telatovich's career.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Eagles pushed the lead to eight (12-4) before the Lions scored their first goal after a 21-minute scoring drought. ERAU held a 4-3 edged over SLU in the third and with one quarter remaining, the Eagle lead was 13-6.
The Lions struck first in the fourth quarter but were outscored 5-2 by the Eagles during the final 15 minutes of play, resulting in the 18-8 final.
Embry-Riddle picked up 10 caused turnovers and won the draw control battle (18-11) led by 11 draws from Squire.
Alexa Zeruto finished with four goals and an assist, while
Kenley Zeruto and Jones tallied two goals each.
The Eagles now await the official announcement of the SSC tournament bracket which will determine their opponent and where they will play in the semifinal round.