BRISTOL, R.I. – Allie Shamberger (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) tallied 12 points, earning four in the first quarter, in the Roger Williams University Women's Lacrosse team's Conference of New England (CNE) opener on Tuesday afternoon, spearheading the Hawks' first win of the season over Johnson & Wales, 15-11.
Shamberger had five goals and seven assists, while picking up three ground balls and converting a free position opportunity. Lauren Canata (West Springfield, Mass.) had five points, with four goals and an assist, while earning three draw control wins. Miranda Hayes (South Burlington, Vt.) paced the team, winning 12 draw controls, while the Hawks had 18 total in the contest, holding JWU to 10.
For the Wildcats, Kelsey Higgins had four points with four goals, while Shepley did the same, with even distribution amongst goals and assists. Kiera Donegan also tallied two points for the Wildcats.
The Hawks struck 3:22 into the contest, when Shamberger connected on a pass inside to Hayes. Just under two minutes later, Shepley did the same, finding Donegan. Shamberger then struck within a minute of the leveler, putting the Hawks back up 2-1, before connecting with Canata for a pair of goals, taking a 4-1 lead with 3:28 remaining. Hayes then tallied her second of the game, with Molly Schmitz (Hamden, Conn.) finding Hayes, from behind the net, on a cut inside. After Higgins pulled the Wildcats within three, Shamberger tallied her second of the game to take a 6-2 lead into the second frame.
Shamberger then connected with Canata, picking up where their connection left off in the first quarter, taking a five-goal lead, but Cassie Burke was able to tally one for the Wildcat, putting the score 7-3 in favor of the Hawks. Jaymie Arena (Hopkinton, Mass.) then found twine for the second goal of the 2026 campaign before Higgins did the same just over a minute later, keeping the Wildcats within reach. With 7:06 remaining in the half, Canata connected with Shamberger to return the favor, sparking a three-goal run, with the ensuing goals to Morgan Earls (Portland, Maine) and Canata being assisted by Shamberger.
In the final 2:36, Shepley and Stratton each scored for the Wildcats, sandwiching a goal by Shamberger with 56 seconds remaining in the opening half, as the Hawks took a 12-6 lead into the break.
JWU did not back down, scoring the first two goals of the half, cutting the deficit down to four. Shamberger and Arena each tallied goals, including Shamberger's 16th of the season and fifth of the game, taking a 14-8 advantage. Two late goals in the quarter brought the Wildcats within four heading into the final frame.
Higgins scored with 12:17 remaining in the fourth, but the first goal of the season from Mikayla Fey (Bethlehem, Pa.) secured the win for the Hawks with 6:46 remaining, as the RWU defense was able to hold the Wildcats without a goal over the final 12:17 of play.
Roger Williams outshot the Wildcats 35-27, while putting 22 of their attempts on net. Aizza Chase (Cohasset, Mass.) made eight saves in net for the Hawks, while the Hawks went 12-for-12 in clear attempts.
Roger Williams (1-5, 1-0 CNE) will travel to take on Western New England on Saturday, Mar. 21 at 4:00 pm. The Hawks will then host Gordon on Wednesday, Mar. 25, before rounding out the week with a key CNE matchup at Endicott on Saturday, Mar. 28.
