CENTRAL, S.C. - - For the first time since 2012, the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team has started a season 2-0 as the Wildcats defeated Southern Wesleyan, 17-6, on Monday night at Childs Field.
The Wildcats started fast once again, coming out of the gates and racing to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter. The lead grew to 7-2 by scoring the first three goals of the second quarter and then the Wildcats scored the final three of the second quarter, going into the halftime break leading 10-4. The Wildcats then won the third quarter, 6-1, to run away with the contest.
Lauren Gresham scored the game's first two goals and then it was Maddie Day's turn to score back-to-back goals and the Wildcats were up 4-0 with 5:38 left in the first quarter. The Warriors responded with a man-up goal and the final goal of the quarter to cut the deficit in half, 4-2.
Lauren Gresham started the second quarter the same way by scoring the first goal and then Taylor Lambeth got on the board with the next two goals to put the Wildcats up, 7-2, with 10:25 left in the half. After a pair of Southern Wesleyan goals, Campbell Heller scored a pair of goals sandwiched around a goal from Makenzie Stritzinger and the Wildcats went into the half leading 10-4.
Campbell Heller scored three goals in the third quarter and Makenzie Stritzinger scored twice, with her second goal of the quarter activating the 10-goal mercy rule.
Taylor Lambeth led the team with seven points, scoring three goals and adding four assists. Campbell Heller tallied five goals and an assist, leading the way with four draw controls as well. Makenzie Stritzinger finished with four goals and three draws while Lauren Gresham added a hat trick with three goals too. Amelie Gamache and Marisa Swanson led the team with five ground balls each. Swanson finished with five caused turnovers as well.
Tori Grubowski made three saves in the game while Katie Vindigni made four stops in relief.
The Wildcats remain in the Carolinas for one more contest, as they head to Wilson, North Carolina to take on Barton College on Wednesday. The opening draw is set for 7:00 p.m.