BALTIMORE, Md. – The Cedar Crest College lacrosse team secured a 22-5 victory over Notre Dame of Maryland University to begin United East Conference play on Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons started strong with senior Maddie Graham (Clayton, Del./Smyrna) scoring her first goal at 11:22, followed by a second goal at 10:01. Despite a man-up goal by Notre Dame senior Sarah Generoso (Catonsville, Md.) at 7:16, Graham responded by scoring two man-down goals at 1:24 and 1:14, giving Cedar Crest a 4-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. The quarter also saw multiple turnovers and successful defensive plays, including a notable turnover caused by first-year Angelina Plut (Blairstown, N.J./North Warren Regional).

In the second quarter, the Falcons displayed a strong offensive performance, outscoring the Gators, 8-1. Senior Lauren Jackson (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon) scored at 13:12, assisted by junior Ellie Terranova (Wilmington, Del./Mount Pleasant), to kick off the Cedar Crest scoring streak. Junior Kylah Demarest (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) then led a surge with three consecutive goals, including a man-down goal at 9:04. Terranova and Graham each added goals to extend the lead, with sophomore Kadee Schrader (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) scoring in the final minute to bring the quarter to a close with the Falcons ahead by nine, 12-3. The team's defense also held firm, highlighted by sophomore Irelyn Yoder's (Wilmington, Del./Concord) multiple saves and sophomore Jessica Shults (Staten Island, N.Y./New Dorp) causing a turnover at the end of the quarter.

Terranova secured the initial draw control of the second half for Cedar Crest, which set up Graham for a free position goal at 14:31, giving the team early momentum. The Falcons maintained their offensive pressure, as Demarest scored a man-down goal, assisted by Graham, at 10:59. Cedar Crest continued its dominant performance with goals by Schrader, Graham, and Demarest, extending their lead significantly. Terranova concluded the quarter's scoring with a man-up free position goal at 00:44, capping a productive third quarter for the Falcons to make the score 18-4 entering the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, the Falcons extended their lead with a strong performance, beginning with Demarest's draw control and assist to senior Abi Sipel (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) for a goal at 13:21. Graham followed with her own goal at 11:53, and Demarest scored again at 8:56. Demarest continued to dominate the draw controls, facilitating another goal by Graham at 4:36, despite multiple saves by the Gators' Leah Hasberry. The Falcons ended the quarter with a 22-5 victory, securing four goals to the Gators' one in the final frame.

Graham led the Falcons with a standout performance, scoring nine goals and providing two assists for 11 points. Demarest contributed significantly with seven goals, one assist, and nine draw controls. Terranova added two goals and two assists, while Schrader scored twice and recorded one assist.

Generoso led NDMU with three goals.

Yoder made four saves in the win for Cedar Crest while Hasberry converted 13 saves in the loss.

Terranova had a team-high eight ground balls, while Sipel tallied a team-high two caused turnovers.

Cedar Crest (4-2 overall, 1-0 United East) next hosts Immaculata University on Tuesday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. Notre Dame of Maryland University (0-9 overall, 0-1 United East) will stay home to host St. Mary's College of Maryland on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.