WHEELING, W.Va. - After scoring the first 11 goals of the game, the Wheeling Jesuit women's lacrosse team defeated the Alderson Broaddus Battlers, 21-6, Thursday night on the campus of Wheeling Jesuit University.
Five different Cardinals scored the first five goals of the contest, giving WJU its early advantage. On the evening, 11 Cardinals found the back of the net, led by four scores each from Jessie Tufnell and Elizabeth Hales. WJU managed to outshoot its opponent, 34-12.
"I'm proud of how the girls came out to play today. Sometimes after a string of losses a team can begin to get down and lose a little confidence. However, this team is very good at putting the past behind them,'' WJU head coach Tim Florence stated.
Hales tallied three of the Cardinals opening 11 scores, while Paige Plesich, Kate Calder, and Tufnell each struck twice early. Alderson Broaddus would answer with three consecutive scores, but WJU ended the half on a 4-0 run, and led 15-3 at the break.
Tufnell added a pair of goals just seconds apart (7:40/7:24) to halt the Battlers run. Lyndsay Carpetner added her first goal of the game with 3:46 remaining and Hickman finished the half's scoring with 46 seconds on the clock.
The Battlers scored first in the second half, but the Cardinals would claim the next five goals. Hales began the second half scoring for WJU with 23:41 remaining.
Markie Wright made the Cardinals lead 17-4 before Olivia Krock stretched the lead to 18-4. Ally Coggins and Holly Deckert extended the Cardinal lead to 16 goals, 20-4. Lyndsay Carpenter added the final score of the evening for WJU, as the Cardinals went on to win the contest, 21-6.
Hales and Tufnell finished with a game-high four scores each. Tufnell secured two groundballs while Hales handed out three assists and picked up two groundballs.
Krock, Plesich, Carpenter, and Calder all finished with two goals and two groundballs apiece. Plesich also dished out one assist.
Hickman, Wright, Burns, Deckert and Coggins all struck once for WJU. Hickman handed out a game-high five assists, grabbed two groundballs and caused two opponent turnovers.
Brianna Wahle caused two Alderson Broaddus turnovers and picked up two groundballs. Taylor Quigg also finished with two groundballs. Taelor Mailloux, Mia Gilardi, and Danielle Wheeler each ended with a groundball to their credit.
The Cardinals begin Mountain East Conference play tomorrow, April 1 when they host Urbana University at 5 p.m.
"Now it's time to get ready for conference play, which we don't have much time considering tomorrow we play Urbana," Florence added. "I'm sure the girls will be ready to go."
