DOVER, Del. – Gardner-Webb used a 9-0 run to close the first half and cruised to a 16-3 win at Delaware State Sunday afternoon in non-conference women's lacrosse action.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (2-5) won for the second time on the road this season, getting goals from 11 different players in a balanced performance offensively.

Senior Lindsey Lippert started the day by scoring two quick goals, finding the back of the net just 1:40 into the game and again just 55 seconds later for a 2-0 lead. Talen Francis and Catherine Fox assisted on those goals.

Freshman Lauren Deaver pushed the lead to 3-0 with an unassisted goal with 25:04 to go before the half, then the Hornets answered with their only goal in the first 30 minutes to trim Gardner-Webb's lead to 3-1 with 24:32 on the clock.

Gardner-Webb went to its experienced senior core once again to seize control of the game, with two-time All-Big South performer Amanda Steinmuller scored three in a row for a 6-1 edge. The Ellicott City, Md., native scored her first two goals on free position shots and took an assist from Francis for her third with 11:46 to play before halftime.

Junior Abby Hanscom took a feed from Steinmuller for a 7-1 lead just 28 seconds later, then Lippert completed her own hat trick with her third goal at the 9:57 mark. The youth movement closed out the half, with freshmen Eilish Gately (9:55 and 2:31), Hailey Maranto (9:43) and Em Dyment (8:47) pushing Gardner-Webb's lead to a comfortable 12-1 margin by the end of the half.

Delaware State (0-2) would get no closer than 10 the rest of the way. Gardner-Webb freshman Maddie Martin took a pass from Maranto with 22:02 left in the game to give GWU a 13-2 lead, then Colleen Conn took another pass from Maranto for a 14-3 lead with 2:42 left. 

Francis fed Steinmuller for a goal with 2:17 left for a 15-3 lead, then scored herself on a free position opportunity with less than a minute to play for the final margin.

Steinmuller led the way with four goals and an assist, capping her very strong road trip offensively. Lippert added three goals and Gately had a pair for Gardner-Webb. 

Francis and Maranto each finished with one goal and three assists, Catherine Fox added two assists and GWU also had single goals from Conn, Hanscom, Deaver, Dyment and Martin. Dyment and Martin also had assists in the game.

Francis led the way with five ground balls and three draw controls, while Martin was close behind with four ground balls. Katie Sylvester was solid between the pipes, corralling seven saves against the Hornets' 11 shots.

Gardner-Webb outshot Delaware State by an 18-5 margin in the decisive first half and finished with a 26-11 edge for the game.

The Hornets were led by Jasmine West's two goals.

Gardner-Webb will get in some needed rest, recovery and practice time over spring break until returning home on Saturday, March 17 to host Quinnipiac at 12:00 noon in Spangler Stadium.