CONWAY, S.C. — The William & Mary lacrosse team opened its 2025 season with an impressive 13-11 win at Coastal Carolina, the defending ASUN Conference champions and preseason favorites to repeat, on Saturday afternoon.
The contest was knotted at 8-8 entering the fourth quarter, but W&M (1-0) opened the final frame with four unanswered goals — all coming by different players — to pull ahead 13-9 with 3:05 remaining. CCU (0-1) countered with a pair of scores in the final minutes, but W&M secured the season-opening non-conference road win.
The triumph marked Kelyn Freedman’s first victory as head coach of the Tribe.
Kate Draddy led a large contingent of W&M standouts who posted impressive season debuts, as she earned a hat trick on just four shots to go with a game-high six draw controls, a caused turnover and a ground ball.
Ainsley Huizenga (1g, 4a) and Paige Gilbert (3g, 1a) also came up big offensively, while Finley Hoffman and Anna Dawson recorded multi-goal efforts. All four of Huizenga’s assists, as well as her goal, came during the second half.
Defensively, goalie Marin Wilhelm tallied 13 saves, a .542 save percentage and three ground balls, while Claire Doto registered a caused turnover with three ground balls and two draw controls.
Ignited by a pair of goals from Gilbert in the opening minutes, W&M jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the first quarter.
After closing to within one at halftime (6-5), CCU outscored the Tribe 3-2 in the third frame to tie the score at 8-8 before the Tribe answered with the pivotal 4-0 run.
Coastal outshot W&M, 32-30, including a 24-17 margin in attempts on goals, but the Tribe totaled nine more saves (13-4).
The Chantacleers held a 15-11 advantage in draw controls and committed two fewer turnovers (11-13).
CCU also owned a 14-13 edge in ground balls.
Brigid Cardillo led CCU with six points (5g, 1a), while Maddie Bates added two goals and an assist.
Gabrielle Beaudet and Alyson Mascolo totaled five and four draw controls, respectively, and both scored a goal apiece.
The Tribe will return to action when it hosts George Washington for its home opener at Martin Family Stadium next Saturday at noon.
