West Caldwell, N.J. - Georgian Court University exploded for 24 goals on 54 total shots as the Lions routed host-Caldwell University Saturday afternoon in the first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) women's lacrosse action of the 2019 campaign.

With GCU leading by three (5-2) at the 18:28 mark of the first half, the Cougars responded by connecting on three of the contest's next five scoring efforts to slice the Lions' lead to one (7-6) with 6:34 left before the half. Georgian Court put an immediate halt to the Caldwell comeback as the visitors proceeded to rattle off eight unanswered goals to take an insurmountable lead of 15-6.

The two teams would exchange a trio of tallies to make the score 18-9 with 16:29 remaining before the Lions closed the game with a 6-2 run en route to the 24-11 final.

Samantha Fernandez and Madison Heck led the charge for the victors with five goals apiece while Nicole Barbella provided a balanced attack of four goals and four assists. Amanda Marino, Angelina Palermo and Arianna Quinlan each enjoyed two-tally showings for Georgian Court.

Arden Kassaleh (Jr.-Pompton Plains, N.J.) shined in the Caldwell scoring column with a team-best five goals. 

Amber Neumann earned the goalkeeping victory for the Lions with two saves in her 30:00 of action. Mia Monacelli (Fr.-Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) collected an eye-popping 20 saves in the complete-game effort for the Cougars.

Winners of three straight games, GCU looks to make it four in a row this Wednesday with a 3:30 p.m. non-conference home contest vs. #14 Mercy College.