The Muhlenberg women's lacrosse team broke open a close game in the third quarter and went on to defeat Swarthmore, 14-5.

The Mules (10-3, 3-3) led 5-4 a little more than four minutes into the second half before the defense slammed the door on the Garnet (9-4, 2-4), not allowing a goal for a span of more than 24 minutes. Muhlenberg went on a 9-0 run during that time to turn the game into a runaway.

Junior Nicole Steiner scored 4 goals, all in the third quarter, and sophomore Emily Vaughan also finished with 4 for her first career hat trick. Freshman Ava Mila netted 3 goals and senior Emily Gaffney added a pair.

But it was the defense that was the story, allowing only 5 goals in a Centennial Conference game for the first time since 2019. Although the shot totals were fairly even (a 27-23 advantage for Muhlenberg), only 12 of the Garnet's attempts were on goal as the Mule defense closed down shooting and driving lanes.

Freshman Meaghan Haughney made 5 saves in goal to improve to 2-0 as a starter while defenders Sarah Duffy (2 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers), Melissa Pierpont (3 ground balls) and Grace Bruther (pictured above, 2 ground balls) helped to keep shots away from her.

Sophomore Jillian Kubikowski had a tremendous all-around game, recording 10 draw controls, 2 assists, 2 ground balls and a caused turnover. She is only the sixth different Mule to reach double figures in draw controls in a game. 

Last year's matchup with Swarthmore, a one-goal game midway through the fourth quarter, and common opponents this year - both teams won by one goal at Dickinson - suggested a close game, and it was for the entire first half. Neither team led by more than a goal in the first 30 minutes, and neither team scored any goals in the final 12:14 of the half.

Steiner, held scoreless in the first half, netted her first goal a minute into the third quarter to make the score 5-3. Swarthmore answered at the 10:52 mark to close back to within one, but back-to-back left-handed goals by Steiner in a span of 59 seconds started a barrage that saw the Mules convert eight of their 10 shots in the third quarter. The 8 goals were the most in a quarter ever for Muhlenberg in a CC game.

The Mules led 14-4 before Swarthmore ended its drought on a goal with fewer than two minutes remaining.

In reaching double digits in wins for the eighth time in program history, the Mules also strengthened their CC playoff chances. Last year, Muhlenberg's loss to Swarthmore was the deciding factor in the final CC playoff berth.