St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s lacrosse team dropped a tight 9-8 overtime decision to Widener University in non-conference play Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium in St. Mary’s City. Junior midfielder Sanne Elling (Ocean View, Del./Sussex) powered the Seahawks with a season-high four goals, but the team surrendered a three-goal lead in the fourth quarter before falling in the extra period.
The Seahawks built momentum early, racing to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter’s final 6:12. Senior captain Katelin Scala (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) scored first, followed by first-year attacker Sarah Fitter (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) and sophomore midfielder Kayleigh Dragon (Milton, Ga./Milton). Widener answered with one goal in the second period from Claire Lynch at 8:22, but Elling responded 70 seconds later for a 4-1 halftime edge.
Both teams traded three goals each in the third quarter, preserving St. Mary’s three-goal cushion at 7-4 heading into the fourth. Widener struck first in the final frame just 37 seconds in, but Elling’s fourth goal at 11:57 restored the three-goal lead. The Pride then mounted a comeback with three unanswered goals, including back-to-back tallies from Jessica Mantz, tying the score at 8-8 with 3:25 left in regulation.
St. Mary’s won the next draw control but committed a turnover before mounting an attack. The defense forced a shot clock violation on Widener and cleared successfully, generating two shots—Grace Maurice (Clinton, Conn./Cheshire Academy) hit the crossbar, and Madison Warlow denied Hope Harrison (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales)—sending the game to overtime.
Lynch scored the golden goal 79 seconds into the extra frame on a woman-up opportunity, sealing Widener’s third straight victory and improving them to 4-2. St. Mary’s fell to 1-6.
The Seahawks held advantages in shots (29-24) and ground balls (22-17), led by senior captain Gina Jaffurs (Leonardtown, Md./St. Mary’s Ryken) with a career-high five ground balls. They also won more draw controls (11-7), with Scala and junior defender Claire Boudreau (Towson, Md./Towson) each securing three. However, St. Mary’s converted only one of nine free-position shots.
Harrison and Scala each added one goal and one assist. Jaffurs and junior defender Grace Totten (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) recorded two caused turnovers apiece. In goal, junior Allie Greeley (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) matched her season high with 12 saves.
For Widener, Mantz (three goals, one assist) and Lynch (three goals) combined for six scores, while Warlow made 11 saves.
This contest marked a competitive non-conference test for the Seahawks under their program, highlighting offensive contributions from Elling amid defensive resilience but late-game challenges. St. Mary’s continues its schedule with road trips to Washington College on March 17 at 4 p.m. in Chestertown and No. 17 Messiah on March 21 at 1 p.m. in Grantham, Pa.
Southern Maryland’s St. Mary’s College of Maryland Seahawks women’s lacrosse team pushes forward in a rebuilding season, drawing local support in St. Mary’s City while facing strong non-conference opponents.