BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Presbyterian College women's lacrosse team scored 10 second-half goals to secure a 17-6 conference win over Gardner-Webb Saturday afternoon at Spangler Stadium. The Blue Hose improve to 2-9 overall and 1-2 in the Big South. The Runnin' Bulldogs fall to 0-13, 0-3. The first Big South win this season for PC evens the all-time series with Gardner-Webb, 2-2.
Stat of the Game
PC outshot GWU (34-21), picked up more ground balls (24-22), committed fewer turnovers (22-28), and had one more successful clear (13-12).
Blue Hose Players of the Game
Cady Roberts paced PC on offense, scoring five goals on eight shots with an assist. The sophomore converted both of her free-position shots and added a draw control. Natalie Barnett and Kathleen Gerrits both scored a hat trick. Maura Talvacchia finished with four ground balls and five caused turnovers. Kayla Koch faced 14 shots, recording eight saves for a 57.1 save percentage in a complete-game effort.
Gardner-Webb Players of the Game
Emma Rose was the offensive standout for the hosts, finishing with three goals on eight shots. The senior added three ground balls, a draw control, and a caused turnover. Abby Hanscom scored a goal with seven draw controls, three ground balls, and a pair of caused turnovers. Colleen Conn picked up six ground balls and caused three turnovers. Katie Sylvester recorded nine saves against 26 shots faced, adding a ground ball and a caused turnover.
How It Happened
The Blue Hose scored three unanswered to start the game. Roberts opened the scoring at the 26:30 mark. Ellie Stader made it 2-0 just 14 seconds later, and Lauren Schaaf cleaned up a Roberts shot that hit the post. Gardner-Webb responded with a quick pair of goals, and then knotted the game at 3-3 with 11:03 to play in the first half. PC retook the lead as Barnett found the back of the net. The goal ignited a 4-0 run by the Blue Hose as PC took a 7-3 lead at the break.
In the second half, PC outscored Gardner-Webb 10-3. Roberts again kicked off the scoring, posting her third goal of the game with 28:10 on the clock. Rose scored a couple of goals, but the Blue Hose scored another four straight to pull away. GWU halted the run with a Catherine Fox goal at the 6:16 mark, but PC added three more to their total to wrap up the game.
Notables
- Roberts tied a career high for goals in a game. She recorded five goals at Howard on March 12 last season.
- With six goals allowed and eight saves, Koch's 57.1 save percentage is a season high.
- PC tied its season high with 34 shots. The Blue Hose took 34 shots in a win over Butler on March 10.
- The team also tied its season high of 14 caused turnovers. PC caused 14 turnovers in losses to Saint Francis (Pa.) on February 26 and Fresno State on March 3.
- The win marks just the first conference win against the Runnin' Bulldogs. PC played Gardner-Webb twice in 2015, the first season for GWU. The Blue Hose took the first meeting 18-5 on March 12, but the game did not count as a Big South game.
- Today's victory marks just the second Big South win in program history. PC defeated Radford 13-8 on April 9 last season.
Up Next
The Blue Hose return to Clinton, S.C. as they host Winthrop this Wednesday, April 12 in a 4 p.m. ET Big South game at Martin Stadium.
