Mitchell and Williams Combine for 10 Goals in UDC's Narrow Loss to STAC on Senior Day

Washington, D.C.- On a special Senior Day at the UDC Turf Field, the University of the District of Columbia Women's Lacrosse team put up a spirited fight but came up just short in a 17-14 defeat to East Coast Conference rival St. Thomas Aquinas College on Thursday afternoon.

The match was a celebration of three dedicated Firebirds—Michelle Mitchell, Jada Williams, and Kensley Benjamin—who were honored pregame for their contributions to the program, both on and off the field.

The Firebirds (1-8, 0-4 ECC) showed resilience throughout the contest, battling back from a third-quarter deficit with five fourth-quarter goals. Senior Michelle Mitchell and freshman Jada Williams each netted five goals, spearheading UDC's offensive effort. Williams added a late free position score with six seconds remaining to cap her hat trick and tie Mitchell for a team-high five goals.

Gabriela Martinez dished out three assists and added a goal of her own, while Aliyah Bailey chipped in a goal and three assists. Grace Hall contributed a goal and an assist in the team's spirited second-half run.

Defensively, UDC goalkeepers Natalia Perkins and Shannen Graham combined for 21 saves, including 14 from Graham in the second half. The Firebirds finished with 30 ground balls and converted on 6-of-10 free position shots.

St. Thomas Aquinas (5-12, 1-4 ECC) was led by Hailey Galison and Katelyn Cerrato, who combined for 14 goals and three assists. The Spartans capitalized on key draw controls (23-12) and used a late fourth-quarter surge to hold off UDC's comeback bid.

The Firebirds will wrap up the season on Saturday with a conference match up at D'Youville University.