HPU Women’s Lacrosse Tops American, 13-11

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Junior attacker Mackenzie Carroll tied the program record with six goals to lead the High Point University women’s lacrosse team to a 13-11 win over American University on Sunday in Washington, D.C. Senior attacker Grace Gaeng notched a hat trick.

“We started off really strong, executing in the areas we focused on after losing on Friday,” said HPU head coach Lyndsey Boswell. “We came out with the right energy and intensity. American was able to figure some things out and make a come back. We learned our lesson in the first half and found a way to come up with the win.

“We still have so many things to work on and get right before we go out west to play Oregon and Denver. We’re going to get back to practice and get ready this week.”

Carroll also had a pair of ground balls and went 2-for-2 on free-position shots. Gaeng had a team-high four draw controls. Junior midfielder Jasmine Jordan had five ground balls, five caused turnovers and a draw control in the win.

Three American players scored two goals each. Emily Burton notched three assists along with her two goals to lead the way. Emily Maher had two goals, two assists and four ground balls and Nicole Lombardo scored twice.

Gaeng scored the first goal of the game just over two minutes into it on an assist from freshman Kendyl Gardner. Carroll recorded a hat trick in less than seven minutes and the Panthers led 6-1 on Gaeng’s second goal with 14:06 to go in the first half.

American was able to go on a 6-1 run to tie the game at 7-7 with 28:24 left in the second half. It started with an up-goal by Kimberly Collins with 10:23 left in the first half, the first of four-straight American goals. Carroll scored for HPU with 4:13 left in the first half but Burton scored as time ran out to get the Eagles within a goal. Maher scored the first goal of the second half to tie it.

After nearly eight minutes of scoreless play, High Point scored four times in less than five minutes and led the rest of the way. Junior midfielder Sara Kuhlman scored on a free-position shot with 20:41 left, which ultimately was the game-winner.

With High Point leading, 11-8, American got a pair of goals from Terese Buechli and Burton to get within one, but the Panthers responded with scores from Gardner and Carroll less than a minute apart to solidify the win.

HPU goalie Anna Wallingford made six saves and had three ground balls to earn her second victory. American’s Teal Harrison made seven saves. High Point outshot American, 16-7, in the second half with Harrison making six saves in the period.

High Point improved to 2-2 with the win while American dropped to 0-3.

The Panthers’ road stretch continues next weekend as the Panthers travel to Eugene, Oregon, to take on the Ducks on Saturday at 8 p.m. (Eastern). HPU then goes to Denver to play the Pioneers on Monday at 3 p.m. (Eastern).