DeLand, Fla. — Stetson lacrosse fell to USF, 25-4, on Wednesday afternoon at the Athletic Training Center.
Charlotte Castiglione opened the game by securing the draw control, but the Hatters were unable to convert on their opening possession. An early shot from
Ryley Heilmann was turned away, and USF capitalized on the ensuing momentum. Despite several saves from
Harper Hodgett in goal, the Bulls built an 11-0 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
Stetson broke through early in the second quarter when
Kathleen Nichols found the back of the net at the 14:32 mark off an assist from
Lexi Bird. USF responded with a scoring run to extend its lead, taking a 16-1 advantage into halftime.
The Bulls added four more goals in the third quarter. Hodgett continued to battle in goal with multiple key stops, but USF maintained control of possession and pushed its lead to 20-1 entering the final period.
The Hatters showed resilience in the fourth quarter. Following a Hodgett save,
Heidi Cross collected the ground ball and helped initiate a successful clear that led to a
Lexi Bird goal at 11:10. Castiglione added a goal at the 6:43 mark, and
Luana Engel closed out the scoring for Stetson with a goal assisted by Cross with 3:25 remaining.
Bird finished with a goal and an assist to lead the Hatters offensively. Castiglione and Nichols each added a goal, while Hodgett recorded nine saves in the contest.
Next, Stetson will host Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the Athletic Training Center.
Article partially generated with FanWord.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
