HARRISONBURG, Va – The Hood College women's lacrosse team was on a roll offensively against Eastern Mennonite University on Wednesday evening with a 20-6 win.
Inside the Box Score
Rachel Harper (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) had a career high six goals, while teammate
Emma Massey (Felton, Del./Lake Forest) also had a career high with four goals.
Julia Gregory (Sussex, N.J./Vernon Twp.) netted three goals and won five draw controls, while
Maggie Merrill (Marriottsville, Md./Marriotts Ridge) also scored three times and won six draw controls.
Abbey Bolingbroke (Jefferson, Md./Brunswick) also won six draw controls, and
Menna Salem (Germantown, Md./Seneca Valley) led the Blazers defense with three caused turnovers.
How it Happened
The Blazers offense didn't take long to get into a groove as Massey gave Hood the early advantage just a few minutes into the contest.
Hood wouldn't stop their attack offensively, as
Rachel Harper (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) found
Abbey Bolingbroke (Jefferson, Md./Brunswick) to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead. Shortly after, Harper did it herself and netted yet another goal for the squad.
Julia Gregory (Sussex, N.J./Vernon Twp.) joined in on the fun and added to Hood's early advantage over EMU to make the score 4-0.
The Blazer earned a free position shot attempt and to cap off a dominate first quarter for Hood,
Alanna Lee (Alexandria, Va./Mount Vernon) netted her first career goal and gave the Blazer a 5 to 0 lead headed into the second quarter.
Hood didn't miss a beat with just 45 seconds into the second quarter,
Menna Salem (Germantown, Md./Seneca Valley) scored to extend the lead. Shortly after,
Mia Treney (Bayville, N.J./Central Regional) netted her first career goal to make the score 7-0 in favor of Hood.
The offense would cool down after a hot start, but midway through the second, Massey found Harper, to net her second goal of the game.
EMU broke into the score column after Hood committed a penalty and seized the opportunity on a man-up goal.
Headed into the break the Blazer led 8-1.
Shades of the first half trickled into the third quarter, as Harper stayed aggressive offensively and added another goal.
Teammate
Maggie Merrill (Marriottsville, Md./Marriotts Ridge) fired a shot that found the back of the next that continued to extend Hood's lead.
EMU needed a response to stop the bleeding and found it in Ava Walker, and Hailey Walker who scored goals for the Royals.
Despite the Royals efforts, the Blazer were unfazed and continued their attack with a Massey goal.
EMU netted two more to end the quarter, and headed into the fourth, the Blazers held a commanding 11 to 5 lead.
The Royals showed signs of life after capitalizing on a Blazer's turnover, and turned it into a goal.
As the fourth quarter progressed, it was clear that the Blazer were not slowing down, as they started fast and finished even stronger with a 20 to 6 win over the Royals.
For the Opponent
Kaylene Todd led the Royals in goals with two and won four draw controls.
Alyssa Hunter picked up three ground balls.
Analysis
Hood had a big lead in shots 49-15.
The Blazers won the ground ball battle 20-12.
Hood held the advantage in draw controls 17-10.
Notes
Hood improves to 4-3 overall.
EMU falls to 0-8 overall.
Up Next
The squad is back home at Thomas Athletic Field on Saturday, March 21, with an early game time set for 11 AM against the Knights of Arcadia University.