PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Women's Lacrosse improved to 2-0 overall with a statement victory on Saturday afternoon, knocking off No. 20 Kutztown, 12-8, at Northwell Stadium. The Setters used a dominant fourth quarter to separate from the nationally-ranked Golden Bears and remain unbeaten to open the 2026 campaign.

Pace set the tone early, controlling possession off the opening draw and peppering the cage with shots. After several early saves by the Kutztown goalkeeper, Maddie Schubert broke through at the 11:25 mark of the first quarter to give the Setters a 1-0 lead. Mackenzie Carita doubled the advantage just over four minutes later, finishing unassisted for a 2-0 cushion. Kutztown responded before the end of the frame, trimming the deficit to 2-1 after one.

The second quarter featured momentum swings throughout. Kutztown scored twice in a 1:36 stretch to take its first lead at 3-2, but the Setters answered with poise. Mary Kate Nawrocki finished a feed from Carita to even the score at 3-3, and Schubert struck again with 1:50 remaining in the half to restore a 4-3 advantage. A late man-up goal by Kutztown tied the contest at 4-4 heading into the break.

Out of halftime, Pace seized control. Marissa Doty opened the third-quarter scoring off a Carita assist, and Schubert followed with a free-position tally to stretch the lead to 6-4. Although Kutztown briefly cut the margin to one, Jamie Petrullo capitalized on a crisp feed from Annie Sheehan in the closing seconds of the third to send the Setters into the final quarter ahead, 7-5.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Blue and Gold. Schubert netted a man-up goal just 31 seconds in, igniting a 4-0 run that swung the game decisively in Pace's favor. Sheehan added an unassisted goal moments later to make it 9-5, and Carita found the back of the cage twice in a five-minute span to push the lead to 11-6. Kutztown made a late push, cutting the deficit to 11-8 with under two minutes to play, but Schubert sealed the victory with a free-position goal in the final seconds for the 12-8 final.

Schubert led all scorers with five goals, including two free-position finishes, while Carita recorded five points on three goals and two assists. Sheehan added four points with one goal and three assists, and Doty contributed a goal while controlling four draws.

As a team, Pace outshot Kutztown 34-21 and held advantages in ground balls (22-16) and draw controls (15-7) in a complete team performance.

Camryn Smith played all 60 minutes in her collegiate debut in goal to earn the win, making two saves as the Setters' defense forced 23 turnovers.

With the victory, Pace improves to 2-0 overall and builds early momentum with a win over a nationally-ranked opponent at Northwell Stadium.

The Setters are back in action next Saturday for a meeting at home against No. 10 West Chester University of PA.