(box score)
Sophomore Josh Fox (Wynnewood, PA) dished five assists as part of a six-point day and Widener took command in the second quarter for a 19-7 Middle Atlantic Conference victory over Lebanon Valley at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.
The Pride (9-2, 7-0 MAC) scored all seven of its second-quarter markers in succession to open an 11-3 lead with 2:15 left. Fox and junior Whitney Bruemmer (Southampton, PA) each had a goal and an assist in that stretch to help Widener gain an 18-9 shots edge in the period.
Bruemmer scored three times for his third hat trick of the season with seniors JJ Hoeffler (Cranford, NJ), Andrew Janusz (Easton, PA) and Mike Holtz (Easton, PA) getting two apiece for the Pride. Freshman Craig Hunsberger (Perkasie, PA) won 11-of-19 face-offs and freshman Mac Nestler (Chatham, NJ) made five saves over 24 1/2 minutes.
Alex Beard scored twice and Malik Pedroso contributed three assists for the Dutchmen (5-8, 3-5). Bryan Lockward stopped five shots over 30 minutes.
Widener's seventh straight win is its longest since a 10-game streak in 2006. It remains unbeaten with Messiah (7-0) atop the MAC and clinches a spot in the conference tournament.
Widener and Messiah will clash Tuesday with first place on the line in the league. Game time at Quick Stadium is 7:00 pm.
