WINGATE, N.C. – In just its second season of competition, the Embry-Riddle women's lacrosse team (1-0) notched its second straight season-opening victory, topping Wingate (0-1) 14-10 at the Bulldogs Graham Gill Field on Friday.
"This was a big win for us," ERAU Head Coach
Marissa Giannerini said. "Not only because it is great to start the season with a victory but more so it gives us the experience of being in a close game with an evenly matched team and coming out on top. We gained confidence today in our ability to perform under pressure and that is something we can build on throughout the season. I am proud of the fight we saw from our returners and impressed by the contributions our freshmen made. I am looking forward to getting back to practice and preparing for our home opener this Thursday "
Friday's win featured a balanced attack for the Eagles as seven players appeared on the scoresheet led by
Mya Watson,
McKenzie Jackson and
Tori Lammes who tallied a hat trick apiece. Jackson and
Elizabeth Ninesling led the Eagles with five draws each, while
Grace Ebbesmeyer picked up a team-high four ground balls.
The Eagles wasted little time in getting their offense going in Friday's season opener as a pair of goals by 2018 All-Region selection
McKenzie Jackson gave the Blue and Gold a 2-0 lead just two minutes into the game. The Eagles maintained the two-goal advantage for the next 14 minutes as neither team was able to score, but Wingate ended the scoring drought with back-to-back goals to tie things up at 2-2.
The final 12 minutes of the first half saw the Eagles outscore the Bulldogs 4-2 to take a 6-4 lead into the break.
The Eagles extended the lead to 8-5 to start the second half, but three unanswered tallies by Wingate knotted the score again at 8-8.
Trailing by just one goal, the Bulldogs had possession and a chance to tie the game, but a turnover by Ellie Gottschalk at the 4:51 mark gave the ball back to the Eagles who responded by scoring three goals over the next four minutes to pull out the 14-10 win.
The Bulldog offense featured three players with two goals each.
The Eagles will play their first home game of 2019 on Feb. 21 when they host Ave Maria at the Embry-Riddle Lacrosse Field. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
