WEST CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's lacrosse freshman Arden Kassaleh (Pompton Plains, N.J.) netted eight goals as the Cougars outlasted Wilmington University 12-11 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action.
 
The Cougars improve to 3-4 on the season and 1-1 in the CACC, while the Wildcats fall to 4-6 and 2-1 in conference play.
 
Wilmington got on the board first but Caldwell answered with three goals. Kassaleh tied the score at 1-1 at the 27:14 mark of the first half. Sophomore Rachel Lucia (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) put the Cougars in the lead, while senior Amanda Timmes (Pine Beach, N.J.) extended Caldwell's lead to 3-1.
 
The Wildcats answered 16 seconds later to cut the score to 3-2. Junior Pamela Schenck (East Moriches, N.Y.) responded for the Cougars but again Wilmington answered 15 seconds later.
 
Caldwell closed out the half strong as they added six goals before halftime. Kassaleh netted five goals, while Lucia tallied one to put the Cougars in the lead at 10-3 at halftime.
 
Wilmington rallied back in the second half as they held Caldwell to two goals, both by Kassaleh. The Wildcats pulled to within three goals at 11-8 midway through the second half. Kassaleh's final goal at the 11:33 mark, which extended Caldwell's lead to 12-8, proved to be the game-winner.        
 
The Wildcats netted three late goals with the final one coming with just under a minute to play in the game. Caldwell forced a late turnover and held on for their first conference win of the season.
 
Sophomore Elizabeth Ruedemann (Monmouth Junction, N.J.) recorded 13 saves in the win.
 
Caldwell hits the road on Saturday, April 1 as they take on Nyack College in a CACC clash at 1 pm.