BOILING SPRINGS – Mercer used a 6-0 run early the second half to pull away for a 16-6 women's lacrosse win over Gardner-Webb Friday night in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (1-3) opened the game with an early goal from
Em Dyment for a 1-0 lead less than two minutes in, with
Maddie Martin dishing off a nice assist.
Mercer (1-3) answered with three consecutive goals, getting the equalizer from Megan Segreti at the 27:13 mark. Segreti struck again with 17:18 to play before halftime, giving Mercer the lead for good. Gardner-Webb stemmed the tide with a goal from
Lauren Deaver with 9:20 to play, but Mercer pushed its lead to 5-2 soon after.
Talen Francis and
Lindsey Lippert each converted goals for Gardner-Webb to trim the lead to 5-4 late in the half, but a goal from Lindsey Zeltwanger with just four seconds before the half gave Mercer a 6-4 edge at the break.
Caitlin Smith scored for Mercer to open the half and, after
Amanda Steinmuller cut the lead to 7-5 with 24:44 to go, Sami Van Slyke connected on a goal for Mercer to start the decisive 6-0 run. Kate Leone scored three consecutive goals herself in the run – and Van Slyke assisted on two of those six goals to help the Bears stake a 13-5 advantage with 12:59 remaining in the game.
Steinmuller scored her 13th goal of the season at the 11:56 mark, but Mercer closed the game with three more goals for the final margin.
Mercer's rally was powered by the play of Segreti, who was dominant on draw controls. She finished eight on the night, and set up several more controls for her teammates.
Leone had five goals and an assist and Segreti scored three goals to pace the Bears. – who finished the night with a 40-15 shooting advantage (26 on goal) and a 15-8 edge on draw controls.
Gardner-Webb got two goals and an assist from Steinmuller, and one goal each from four different players
Elizabeth Engel had 10 saves in her first career start between the pipes and
Monique Martin had three caused turnovers to go with a team-high four ground balls.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will be back in action at home on Tuesday, March 6, hosting St. Francis (Pa.) at 11:00 am.
