Gardner-Webb University
High Point
Big First Half Lifts High Point Over Gardner-Webb In Big South Opener
April 04, 2015 | Women's Lacrosse
BOILING SPRINGS --- Freshman Alex Fusco (Marietta, Ga.) scored two goals in her collegiate debut, and Raygan Hall (Cleveland, Tenn.) made a season-high 14 saves for Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon, as High Point struck for seven goals in the opening 10 minutes of play en route to an 18-2 win in Big South Conference action at Spangler Stadium.
High Point (3-7, 1-0 Big South) controlled 13-of-22 draws in the game, including an 11-4 edge in the first half, while converting 10-of-12 clearing attempts and forcing 13 Gardner-Webb (0-10, 0-1 Big South) turnovers. Each team scooped up 14 ground balls on the afternoon.
Fusco led the way for Gardner-Webb with her first two goals of the season in her first appearance, scoring once in each half, as Monique Martin (Tyngsborough, Mass.) and Lindsey Lippert (Syracuse, N.Y.) both tallied an assist. Martin and Destiny Mead (Palm Harbor, Fla.) each controlled two draws, as Fusco posted a game-high three draw controls.
Amanda Steinmuller (Ellicott, Md.) added four shots and three ground balls, as Brooke Fernandes (Greensboro, N.C.) scooped up three ground balls of her own. Hall made a season-high 14 saves in the contest.
Emilie Pugliese paced the Panthers with three goals on four shots, as Erica Perrotta, Kendyl Gardner, Allie Foard, Emily Meier, Leah Pace and Kristina Renner each added two strikes. Katie McLaughlin scooped up a team-high three ground balls, as Julia Burns made seven saves between the pipes.
High Point started off strong, scoring four times in the opening six minutes before stretching the lead to 8-0 on a strike by Renner at the 19:45 mark. Fusco answered for the Runnin' Bulldogs at 17:23, scoring her first collegiate goal off a nifty pass by Martin to trim the margin to 8-1.
The Panthers would strike for five goals over the final 16 minutes of the half, taking a 13-1 lead into the break following a late tally by Meier. High Point added three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, and added a pair of late strikes, before Fusco scored her second of the day off a pass from Lippert to equal the final margin.
Gardner-Webb is back in action on Monday when the Runnin' Bulldogs travel to Rock Hill, S.C. to take on Winthrop in Big South play at 6:00 pm.
