CLINTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead and led 11-2 with 10:56 to play before halftime, sparking a 21-12 win over Presbyterian Wednesday in Big South women's lacrosse action.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-13, 1-5 Big South) won on the road for a program-record third time this season, getting five goals from senior
Amanda Steinmuller and four from freshman
Eilish Gately.
Lindsey Lippert and
Abby Hanscom each scored three goals in the win and freshman sensation
Talen Francis netted a pair – as did classmate
Maddie Martin.
Hailey Maranto and
Lauren Deaver also scored goals for Gardner-Webb.
Hanscom and Steinmuller struck early, with Hanscom's lid lifter coming at the 25:25 mark off a pass from Steinmuller. The versatile Steinmuller scored her 34th goal of the season with 23:09 on the clock and Lippert followed with two in a row for a 4-0 lead with less than 10 minutes gone off the first half clock.
Steinmuller (19:59) and Francis (19:26) continued the barrage, putting Gardner-Webb up 6-0 very early on. The Blue Hose (2-14, 0-6 Big South) were able to scratch out a pair of goals, but Gately, Hanscom and Steinmuller (twice) scored to put GWU up 10-2 with 12:05 left in the half. A goal by Deaver pushed the margin to 11-2, before Presbyterian ran off a string of four in a row to make things interesting.
Maddie Martin and Gately found the net to put GWU up 13-6 with 3:40 to play and the 'Dogs led 14-7 at halftime.
The two teams played relatively even in the second half, with Gardner-Webb extending its lead as large as 19-9 after Francis' goal with 21:44 to play.
Gardner-Webb controlled the match, outshooting the Blue Hose by a 49-23 margin – including a 33-12 barrage in the first half. GWU took advantage of 18 Presbyterian turnovers and were an efficient 17-of-18 on clears.
The 'Dogs also held a 25-13 edge on ground balls, with
Monique Martin collecting a game-high five of her own.
Up next for Gardner-Webb is its regular season finale, hosting Winthrop for Senior Day on Saturday, April 21. First draw is set for 1:00 pm on The Big South Network.
