UNION, N.J. (3/30/16) – The Kean University women's lacrosse team withstood a late comeback effort by Fairleigh Dickinson University at Florham to top their in-state rivals 7-5 at home on Wednesday. Kean scored the game's first six goals and hung on after the Devils scored the final four markers.

Kean goaltender Nikki Apostolopoulos was the difference in the game. She made saves on the Devils' first eight shots on goal, and the only score she let up in the first half came on a free position with 20 seconds left in the period. She got most of it but the ball had just enough momentum to roll over the line for FDU's only score.

Click here to see highlights from today's win!

In contrast, the Cougars scored six times in the first. Freshman Morgan Graham had back-to-back unassisted goals midway through the first. Jordan Blanda scored the game's opening goal at 27:09 and assisted Emily Stasuk at 8:20 to cap Kean's first-half output and make the count 6-0.

Apostolopoulos made another nine saves in the second half for a total of 17 in the game. Kean was outshot in the second period 14-2 but was able to outlast FDU thanks to Apostolopoulos' strong performance between the pipes.

Brittany Ballack scored three minutes into the second half for what turned out to be Kean's final goal. Brianna Capobianco and Caitlyn Damon had two goals each down the stretch for FDU, but Graham (pictured left) forced two FDU turnovers in the final four minutes to allow the Cougars to drain the clock and collect the victory.

Blanda forced three turnovers in the game and led the team in that column, and in ground balls (4) and draw controls (5) as well. Graham had four ground balls and Danielle Tomminelli added three.

The Cougars will travel to King's College on Saturday for their final non-conference road game of the season at 1 p.m.