BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (0-6) women's lacrosse team fell to visiting Eastern Michigan (2-2) by the final of 16-6 on Thursday afternoon inside Spangler Stadium.

Junior midfielder Emma Duchscherer produced her second consecutive hat trick, leading the Runnin' Bulldogs with three goals to go along with one assist. Gardner-Webb had three other players score one goal each. Sophomore defender Abby Consaul picked up four groundballs while sophomore goalie Emma Anderson tallied seven saves and four grounders.

Eastern Michigan jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before Duchscherer found a cutting Ella Grace Bishop for the 'Dawgs first goal at the 7:14 mark of the opening period. The Eagles padded the lead to 5-1 before Duchscherer notched her first goal following a free position with less than a minute to play in the first.

The second quarter belonged to Eastern Michigan as the Eagles outscored GWU 3-0 while taking an 8-2 advantage into the halftime intermission.

Duchscherer opened the second half, scoring two of the first three goals before graduate Gianna Nardini posted in the scoring column, allowing Gardner-Webb to trim the deficit to 9-5 more than halfway through the third.

However, a lengthy weather delay slowed the momentum of the Runnin' Bulldogs as Eastern Michigan scored seven of the final eight goals once play resumed, eventually earning the 16-6 win.

Gardner-Webb will return to action on Thursday, March 6, playing host to Youngstown State in the final game of a 5-match homestand. First draw control is set for 3 p.m. on Coach Norm Harris Field.