DeNicola Tallies Five In Loss To Loyola

Saturday, February 14

Bethlehem, Pa.

12:00 PM

Lehigh University

0-1, 0-1

Loyola University Maryland

1-0, 1-0

Loyola (MD)

Lehigh

2/14/2026 6:47:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Nina DeNicola notched a career-high five goals, as Loyola defeated Lehigh 21-11 on Saturday in the Patriot League opener.

"Today was a tough loss against a very talented Loyola team, but I am proud of how we stayed together and never gave up," stated head coach Steph Lazo. "We had some great moments and need to capitalize on more plays on both ends of the field. Nina came in and was a game changer for us, along with Jane in cage who came up with some big stops!"

Loyola struck first, 47 seconds into the game to take a 1-0 lead. The Mountain Hawks found the equalizer at 11:05, as Kacie Wines put Lehigh on the board.

On the following draw, the Greyhounds' Mim Suares-Jury secured the draw control, and took it all the way to the goal, returning the lead back to Loyola. Suares-Jury tallied another within the minute, extending the advantage to 3-1.

The next goal of the contest came at 6:40, as Emma Talago put the Greyhounds up 4-1.

Lehigh responded with Grace Martel finishing off an assist from Kacie Wines, putting the Mountain Hawks down 4-2. They maintained momentum, as Shannon Nolan made it a one-goal game with 3:50 left in the first quarter.

Loyola went on a four-goal run to close out the quarter, taking an 8-3 lead into the second period.

The Mountain Hawks opened the second quarter with DeNicola's first goal of the contest. Loyola followed up with a three-goal run, from three different scorers. DeNicola thwarted the run with her second goal at 11:36.

Olivia Blanding spurred a three-goal run for the Greyhounds, but DeNicola again responded with a goal, as Lehigh trailed 14-6 through intermission.

Loyola's Elisa Faklaris netted her fourth goal of the game to open the second half. First-year Morgan Lesiewicz secured the following draw control, leading to Nolan's second goal of the game.

The Mountain Hawks and Greyhounds traded goals, with Wines scoring her second of the day. Loyola closed out the quarter with two goals, taking an 18-8 lead into the final quarter.

Loyola added two more within the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, before DeNicola once again scored for the Mountain Hawks. This was the first of a three-goal run, followed up by a goal from Chloe DelNegro, before DeNicola capped off her five-goal day. The Greyhounds had one more goal in them, as they secured the 21-11 victory.

Micaela Jennings got the start in net, making five saves before being relieved by Jane Hughes, who compiled seven. Loyola also had two different keepers in net, with Makenzie Butler tallying one save in the first half, and Kennedy Buntrock recording two.

Kacie Wines was Lehigh's second highest point-scorer, as she compiled four off of two goals and two assists.

Loyola held a 27-7 edge at the draw, but Lesiewicz led Lehigh with four in her second collegiate appearance. The Mountain Hawks led 14-13 in ground balls.

Next up for Lehigh (0-2) is a weekend roadtrip, starting with a matchup at Iona at 3 p.m. on Friday.