In likely its final shot to impress the selection committee, the No. 19 Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team fell short against one of the best squads in the nation despite a valiant effort.
For their last non-conference game of the season, the Seawolves (9-4, 4-0 CAA) faced a difficult task in the No. 5/10 Princeton Tigers (10-1, 3-0 Ivy). In hostile territory in New Jersey on Wednesday, Stony Brook went blow-for-blow with its Ivy League foe for the majority of the first half, until some backbreaking plays separated the two in a 19-13 loss for the visitors.
With 6:04 remaining in the second period, attacker Charlotte Wilmoth bounced a free-position shot into the net to tie the contest at nine apiece. On the ensuing draw, Princeton gained possession, but, on its attacking set thereafter, defender Avery Hines drew a charge to give the Seawolves the ball back with a chance to take their first lead of the affair.
However, Stony Brook failed to go out in front despite a pair of attempts, including one while a woman-up — after Princeton midfielder Maggie Molnar received a green card for a delay of game. After the Tigers regained possession while still down a player, defender Dylan Allen and attacker Meg Morrisroe combined for a tough clear, leading to a woman-down goal by attacker McKenzie Blake.
On Wednesday, the Seawolves encountered situations reminiscent of the aforementioned tiebreaking goal on several occasions. They struggled to score in prolonged possessions, squandering precious minutes, and were caught off guard in transition. On multiple instances, Stony Brook’s renowned zone defense had no opportunity to settle in before conceding a goal.
After Princeton took a 10-9 lead, it never looked back. The hosts scored twice more before halftime, and came out firing following the break. The Tigers also netted the first two goals of the second half, while their goalkeeper — Amelia Hughes — who got off to a rough start, settled in and stifled the Seawolves’ attack. She made a pair of saves within the third frame’s first 2:37, and finished with four total stops in the quarter.
Conversely, Stony Brook’s starting netminder struggled mightily in the team’s biggest test of the season to this point. Goalkeeper Natalia Altebrando conceded 12 goals while making just four saves before being pulled to start the third period in favor of Francesca Viteritti, who was not much better. She finished with three saves and six goals allowed. The two were substituted for each other again in the final frame.
Blake had herself a day and became the only Princeton player in program history to score eight goals in a game twice. She also reached the 200-goal milestone on Wednesday. The Tigers’ leading scorer put the ball in the back of net from all imaginable angles, spearheading Princeton’s 19-goal effort — which marked the most goals conceded by the Seawolves in a contest since 2017, when they allowed 22 goals to Florida.
Head coach Joe Spallina did not speak to the media after the game.
Stony Brook outshot the Tigers 42 (28 shots on goal) to 32 (26 shots on goal). It posted a .310 shot percentage to Princeton’s .594.
The Seawolves narrowly lost the draw control (18-17) and ground ball (16-14) battles but were +4 (9-13) on the turnover differential.
Altebrando and Viteritti combined for a .269 save percentage, as the former gave up another goal after coming back onto the field. In contrast, Hughes made 14 stops for a .519 mark. The Tigers were also credited with one team save.
Midfielder Isabella Caporuscio gave it her all on Wednesday, registering a statline of four goals, one assist, four ground balls and four draw controls. Midfielder Alexandra Fusco also had a standout performance with a pair of goals and ground balls alongside a single-game, career-high three caused turnovers.
Along with Blake, Morrisroe and Princeton attackers Haven Dora and Jami MacDonald dominated offensively. Morrisroe scored four goals, Dora dished out six assists — bringing her total to 42 in 2025, already breaking Princeton’s single-season assist record — to go with a goal and MacDonald put up nine points (five goals and four assists).
Blake and Princeton defender Abigail Roberts ran the circle, combining for 12 draws (six apiece).
Stony Brook has four Coastal Athletic Association affairs coming up to close out the regular season. First, it will visit the Elon Phoenix in North Carolina on Friday. The Phoenix are 6-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play this year after a 16-9 loss to Delaware. Opening draw is scheduled for 5 p.m.
