Release courtesy Lake Forest Athletics

The Lake Forest College women's lacrosse team was defeated 18-6 by the University of Scranton Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Division III Tournament.

Scranton led the game, which was played at Denison University, 9-0 after the first quarter and 13-0 at halftime.

Freshman Ella Maher got the Foresters on the scoreboard less than a minute into the second half on her 13th goal of the season. She was assisted by senior Ryleigh Nelson, who scored a goal of her own later in the third quarter and set up a score by junior Jenna Doctor a minute into the fourth, making the score 18-3. Nelson finished the season with a program record 118 points and 64 assists after entering Saturday's game ranked among the top 10 players in the nation in both categories.

Lake Forest accounted for all three of the game's fourth quarter goals. Sophomore Emma Sharp struck for the 29th time this season, senior Ali Graham netted her 44th, and Doctor raised her school record total to 77.

Forester sophomore goalie Cecilia Adams made seven saves in the game's first 35 minutes and junior Calliope Saban added six in the final 25.

Maher led Lake Forest with four draw controls and freshman Eva Russell with three ground balls and three caused turnovers.

The Foresters finished the season with a record of 14-4 while Scranton, the 22nd-ranked team in the nation, advances to play Denison in Sunday's second round.