WATERBURY, Conn. – The Thomas Jefferson University women's lacrosse team (10-8) rallied in the second half to defeat third-seeded Wilmington (13-6), 22-12, in the CACC semifinals on Saturday.
 
The second-seeded Rams earned a spot in Sunday's conference championship, where they will take on the top seed, Dominican, for the CACC title at 2 p.m.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jefferson held a 2-1 lead in the opening quarter before the Wildcats netted back-to-back goals to lead 3-2 entering the second. Wilmington scored first in the second to up the margin to two. The score was 5-3 when the Rams potted two in a row to even the score at the 6:17 mark. The teams were even at six before the Wildcats hit the back of the net with 1:24 remaining for a 7-6 halftime advantage. Wilmington controlled the draws by an 11-4 count over the first two periods.
 
The Wildcats produced the opening goal of the third quarter to make it 8-6. However, Jefferson then got hot, netting 10 of the next 11 goals to turn the game on its head and go in front 16-9. Audrey Strock led the way with three goals. The stretch included Ellie Lefton's 200^th career point as she set up Iris Gluck's tally with 14 seconds left in the third. The Rams kept their foot on the gas in the fourth, recording five of the first six goals in the frame to increase their cushion to 11 (21-10) with 7:14 to go, and they cruised the rest of the way.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Erin Avanzato: 6 goals, 1 assist, 6 draw controls
Ellie Lefton: 1 goal, 4 assists
Audrey Strock: 5 goals, 2 ground balls
Carina Raymond: 3 goals, 1 assist
Melanie Goldstein: 12 saves, 1 caused turnover
 
NOTES
- Ellie Lefton became the eighth player in program history to hit the 200-point mark and first since 2018. Her name will be added to the milestone banner hanging in the Gallagher Center at a later date.
- Jefferson returns to the CACC final for the third time in the last four seasons. The Rams are seeking their first conference crown since 2016.