After a turbulent start to the season by the standards of the No. 19 Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team, it appears to be back on track after a convincing victory; its first of the year over ranked opposition.
For the first of a three-game week, the Seawolves (5-2, 1-0 CAA) faced the No. 19/25 Denver Pioneers (5-4) in Colorado on Tuesday afternoon. On the back of a balanced attack and suffocating defense, Stony Brook overcame draw control problems — a persistent issue in 2025 thus far — to claim a 17-8 win.
Tuesday’s matchup was a rematch of last season, when Denver ended Stony Brook’s 38-game winning streak at Kenneth P. Lavalle Stadium; although both rosters have since experienced heavy turnover.
The first period was not a good one for either goalkeeper. Out of the eight shots that were directed toward both cages, zero were stopped by goalkeeper Natalia Altebrando and Denver goalkeeper Emelia Bohi. Fortunately for the Seawolves, they accounted for five of those shots, meaning a 5-3 lead after 15 minutes.
Both sides struggled in the turnover department in the opening frame, combining for 13 giveaways. While Stony Brook cleaned up its act in the second quarter, the Pioneers continued their struggles to handle the ball. In Denver’s first five possessions of the period, it turned the ball over four times. The Seawolves capitalized continuously on the Pioneers’ miscues, converting opponent giveaways into goals three times within the frame’s opening 8:38.
Although Stony Brook’s offense as a whole was in-synch during that stretch, attacker Casey Colbert — the Seawolves’ X player — was particularly on one. Denver had no answer for her behind the cage, as Colbert struck twice and dished out an assist, propelling Stony Brook to a 9-3 advantage.
Before the contest got out of hand, the Pioneers improved just before the half, limiting turnovers — resulting in a pair of goals — and keeping the Seawolves off the board for the final six minutes of the first half.
However, Denver’s hard work down the stretch in the second period was quickly erased in the third frame. Stony Brook came out the gate hot following the break, scoring three times in the second half’s first 5:42, going up by seven. The Seawolves’ defensive intensity also returned in full, causing four turnovers in the quarter, which, by its end, they led 12-6.
Stony Brook was also the better team in the final period, adding to the aesthetics of its best victory of the year to this point with a 5-2 fourth period. The frame played out similarly to the previous three, featuring a Seawolves offense firing on all cylinders paired with a Pioneers attack in disarray.
“What a great road win against a ranked perennial power in Denver,” head coach Joe Spallina said in a postgame interview with Stony Brook Athletics. “I’m really excited for our team and coaches since this was a complete team effort and that’s what it takes to win on the road. We had some incredible individual performances as well and our goalie, Natalia Altebrando, was a difference maker.”
Just like in every other affair in 2025, Stony Brook outshot its opponent. On Tuesday, the Seawolves outshot Denver 34 (24 shots on goal) to 17 (14 shots on goal).
Stony Brook was +9 (23-14) in the turnover differential and controlled 19 ground balls to the Pioneers’ 13. However, the Seawolves lost the battle in the circle 17-9. Overall, they have controlled more draws than their opposition in just three out of seven games this season.
Eight players tallied goals for Stony Brook, with five recording at least two goals. Attacker Riley McDonald led the Seawolves in scoring with five goals — tying a season-high — while Colbert registered the first hat trick of her collegiate career.
Colbert also built on her status as Stony Brook’s primary facilitator with four assists. She is up to 23 on the year, leading the Coastal Athletic Association.
Defender Avery Hines was back to her old ways. The conference’s premier caused turnover machine — with 21 in 2025 — caused five of the team’s 13 turnovers versus the Pioneers. Midfielder Isabella Caporuscio trailed her with four; she also added two goals, four ground balls and two draw controls to a loaded individual statsheet.
Following a rough opening quarter, Altebrando improved as the contest progressed. She finished with six saves for a .429 save percentage. Conversely, Bohi was replaced by Denver goalkeeper Lexi Gwaku after conceding seven goals without making a stop. Gwaku, on the other hand, allowed 10 goals but made seven saves for a .412 save percentage.
The Seawolves will remain in Colorado for their next affair, which will take place on Thursday. Then, Stony Brook goes head-to-head with the Colorado Buffaloes, who are 3-4 this season after beating Iona 12-4. Opening draw is scheduled for 5 p.m.
