BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb used a quick, early surge to post a lead and went on to a 15-5 win over Wofford Friday night in non-conference women's lacrosse action.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (1-2) dominated play throughout, posting a 39-13 shooting advantage – with 29 of those shots on cage. GWU was also hustled for a 36-19 ground ball edge in the game.

Abby Hanscom and Jessica Deaver led the way with hat tricks and were aided by a balanced effort from Talent Francis (two goals, assist), Jessica Vetter (two goals) and Hailey Maranto (one goal, two assists) supplying multiple points.

Tori Birks, Jada Preston, Eilish Gately and Liz Antoshak each scored single goals and Colleen Conn continued her solid play with an assist, four ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Hanscom and Deaver each had strong all-around games, with Hanscom joining Monique Martin and Conn with a team-high four ground balls. Francis, Vetter, Preston and Deaver each had three ground balls.

Martin, Janice Donaldson and Emily Rowell anchored the defense as well, combining for seven of the team's 14 caused turnovers on the day.

Maranto got things started just 40 seconds into action, scoring on a quick move (29:20). Maranto then assisted on a goal by Vetter less than a minute later for a 2-0 edge (28:33). Hanscom scored her first goal the game off a free position chance, before Wofford (1-2) finally got on the board with an Elisabeth Ralph tally (25:32).

The Runnin' Bulldogs cruised from there, scoring five in a row to close out the half. Birks (21:10), Gately (16:58), Francis (12:54), Vetter (11:27) and Deaver (8:12) each scored a goal in that run – and Gardner-Webb led 9-1 at intermission.

Hanscom found the net again quickly in the second half, scoring just 25 seconds into action (29:35) for a 10-1 lead. Wofford's Ralph answered five minutes later, and the two teams exchanged goals until Gardner-Webb held an 11-3 lead with 22:18 remaining in the game.

The Runnin' Bulldogs scored four straight, however, with Deaver's goal off a feed from Maranto with 17:34 left giving Gardner-Webb a running clock the rest of the game. 

Wofford scored two goals in the final three minutes for the final margin.

Ralph led the Terriers with two goals, while Shannon Wulff contributed one goal and three assists. Goalie Kelsey Thompson was busy, recording 14 saves on Gardner-Webb's barrage of 39 shots.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will be back in action on Wednesday, March 6, hosting Delaware State at 5:00 pm Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.