In large part due to a program record-setting outing from defender Avery Hines, the No. 14 Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team continued its momentum to start 2025.
In a dominant showing, the Seawolves (2-0) walked away from a midweek Wednesday showing in Philadelphia, P.A. with a victory over the Villanova Wildcats (2-2). Hines accounted for eight — a single-game program record — out of Stony Brook’s 14 caused turnovers, which helped it cruise to a 12-5 win.
The Seawolves came out the gate hot on Wednesday, as they looked to repeat their success over Villanova from last season. Despite not achieving success in the circle — as Stony Brook controlled just four out of the 11 first-half draws — its secure zone defense proved impenetrable.
Overall, the Seawolves forced 14 turnovers from the Wildcats in the opening 30 minutes, which, alongside proficient shot efficiency, allowed them to enter halftime with a comfortable 9-1 lead, which was kickstarted by six unanswered goals to start the affair.
Although Villanova was able to bag a pair of goals in both the third and fourth periods, this slight surge proved to be too little for it to dig out of the drastic deficit created majorly by Stony Brook’s endline.
“Really proud of our players and coaches,” head coach Joe Spallina said in a postgame interview with Stony Brook Athletics. “I always say you improve the most from game one to game two. Our defense was ready to go, holding a potent offense to just 11 shots in the game. That stat is incredible with the offensive power of Villanova. Offensively, we showed spots of brilliance but there’s still so much room for improvement. That’s the great thing about this group is that the ceiling is so high. Really awesome for [Hines] to set that Stony Brook record as she was so in tune with the scout and the tendencies of the [Villanova] offense.”
The Seawolves outshot the Wildcats by a significant 30 (22 shots on goal) to 11 (eight shots on goal).
Stony Brook was a +12 (25-13) in the turnover differential but had just seven draw controls to Villanova’s 13, which, thanks to the Seawolves’ tremendous outing on the other two phases, did not end up paying dividends for the hosts.
Alongside the aforementioned eight caused turnovers, Hines also scooped up a career-high six ground balls.
Stony Brook’s attacking depth showed on Wednesday, as seven players tallied at least a goal. The Seawolves’ scoring was spearheaded by attacker Haydin Eisfeld — who registered her first collegiate hat trick — and attacker Charlotte Wilmoth and midfielder Alexandra Fusco, who scored a pair apiece.
Attacker Casey Colbert — Stony Brook’s X player — was the team’s top supplier with four assists on the day.
Villanova attacker Sydney Pappas was her team’s leading scorer with two goals.
As for the sides’ last line of defense, goalkeeper Ava Yancey made her first collegiate appearance. The freshman started the contest and played all 60 minutes, saving three shots. Conversely, Villanova goalkeeper Makenzie Fisher had a busy day at the office, making 10 stops.
Before heading home to Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, the Seawolves have one final stop in their season-opening run of away games. Stony Brook will take the field next against the University at Albany Great Danes, who are yet to register a win in 2025. Most recently, the Great Danes lost 18-6 to Harvard to fall to 0-3. Opening face-off from Albany, N.Y. is scheduled for noon on Sunday.
