HPU Women’s Lacrosse Cruises to 21-5 victory over Winthrop

HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point University women’s lacrosse team capitalized on 21 of its 31 shots and defeated Winthrop 21-5 on Friday night at Vert Stadium in High Point, N.C. Sophomore Kendyl Gardner scored four times and redshirt-freshman Emilie Pugliese scored the first three goals of her career. Junior Mackenzie Carroll scored twice with six assists.

“Winthrop is a good team so we were very excited to get such a big win today,” said HPU head coach Lyndsey Boswell. “Our attackers played very well and we got a lot of production from our bench. This was a good win and we’re looking forward to finishing this homestand on Sunday against Liberty.”

High Point improved to 5-6 overall and 3-0 in the Big South while Winthrop fell to 8-6 overall and 2-2 in Big South play. It was the Panthers’ third home game in a row.

Along with Gardner and Pugliese, redshirt-senior Grace Gaeng also posted a hat trick and had five draw controls while three others scored two goals a piece. Senior goalie Anna Wallingford made four saves for the win. Sophomore Julia Burns played the last 20 minutes and made fives saves.

Winthrop’s Shannon Gallagher and Claire Feeney each scored twice and midfielder Kayley Krause had a game-high nine draw controls. Eagle goalie Camille King made two saves in the loss. Jesse Filyaw-Hiu played the last seven minutes and made one save.

The Panthers raced out to a 12-3 lead on 16 shots by halftime. Gaeng posted her hat trick in the first half and Pugliese scored twice. Gaeng’s goal 1:33 turned out to be the game-winner. Carroll followed with her first goal less than a minute later.

Winthrop got on the board when Gallagher scored on an assist from Danielle Ellis to make it 2-1 with 26:16 remaining in the first half. The Eagles were still within two (4-2) on Gallagher’s second goal with 20:03 left in the half. The Panthers then reeled off five goals in a row, including two by Gaeng, to break it open.

Gardner scored less than two minutes into the second half as the Panthers continued their pressure until the end. HPU broke up four of the Eagles’ seven clear attempts in the second half.

Junior midfielder Alec Perry scored twice to extend her season-long goal scoring streak. Freshman Emily Meier scored twice, marking her third game in a row with multiple goals.

The Panthers are back in action on Sunday when they host Liberty at 1 p.m. at Vert Stadium. The Flames beat Presbyterian College, 16-10, on Friday.