In a game contested between teams on the opposite side of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) spectrum, the No. 20 Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team ensured things played out as expected.
Continuing their usual conference dominance, the Seawolves (9-3, 4-0 CAA) handily defeated the Monmouth Hawks (3-10, 0-5 CAA) at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Friday evening for their Senior Day. In a battle of undefeated versus winless within league play, Stony Brook outscored its opponents in every period en route to a comfortable 16-6 win.
If not for Monmouth goalkeeper Katie Sullivan, the Seawolves might have put the game to bed immediately in the opening frame. In the first quarter, they controlled seven of the eight draws, were +3 (5-2) in the turnover differential and outshot the Hawks 13-4. Regardless, Stony Brook only led 4-3 after 15 minutes, as Sullivan saved seven shots in the period to keep her team in the thick of things.
However, the Seawolves’ sustained pressure and overall superior talent on all three facets of lacrosse overwhelmed the visitors thereafter. Stony Brook dominated the final three frames, outscoring Monmouth 4-1 in each of them.
The lopsided result materialized primarily on the back of favorable possession time for the Seawolves, along with patient play. Stony Brook took its time on its attacking sets, rotating the ball while simultaneously cutting and dodging, seemingly finding a clear scoring opportunity at every turn. Although the Seawolves only scored 16 goals on 43 total shots — their second-highest mark of the season — the underwhelming shot percentage did not cost them due to their draw unit and endline play.
Stony Brook won the draw control battle 20-5 on Friday, its best performance of 2025 in that department. Midfielder Braeden Siverson starred once again in the circle, controlling 11 draws for a second straight outing. Consequently, the Seawolves defense was not very occupied. Though they conceded the aforementioned three first-quarter scores, it was smooth sailing from there.
Defender Avery Hines caused five or more turnovers for a fourth game this year, and goalkeeper Natalia Altebrando was rock solid in the cage, stopping six shots for a .500 save percentage, continuing her breakout campaign. To give credit where it is due, defenders Alexa Constant and Abby Sabella were also instrumental in extending Stony Brook’s streak of keeping a league opponent to under 10 goals to seven games, dating back to last season.
Head coach Joe Spallina did not speak to the media after the game.
The Seawolves outshot the Hawks 43 (30 shots on goal) to 14 (12 shots on goal).
Stony Brook finished +6 (17-11) in the turnover differential while causing 10 giveaways to Monmouth’s three and scooped up 16 ground balls compared to the Hawks’ 13.
Contrary to Altebrando, Sullivan was busy throughout the contest, finishing with 14 stops for a .467 save percentage. She has been off the charts in 2025 — arguably surpassing 2025 CAA Preseason Player of the Year Jenika Cuocco as the conference’s premier netminder. Sullivan ranks second in the league — behind Altebrando — in save percentage (.517) and tops the CAA in saves per game (12.42).
Attacker Riley McDonald was the biggest thorn in Sullivan’s side, scoring five goals past Monmouth’s goalkeeper. McDonald has registered at least a hat trick in seven consecutive outings.
From the X, attacker Casey Colbert tied a career-high with five assists, accounting for the majority of the Seawolves’ eight dishes.
Monmouth midfielder Maddie Flynn was its best offensive performer, posting a pair of goals and assists.
Stony Brook has another three-game week coming up. First, on Wednesday, it faces the No. 7/11 Princeton Tigers in New Jersey for its final non-conference contest of the regular season. The Tigers have been phenomenal in 2025, currently sitting at 9-1 overall and 3-0 in Ivy League play after defeating Cornell 12-11. Opening draw is scheduled for 4 p.m.
