• HPU outscored Virginia Tech 5-2 in the second half
• Senior goalkeeper Julia Burns posted a career-best 15 saves while allowing just six goals
• Five different Panthers posted two points in a well-balanced offensive effort
HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s lacrosse team put together an outstanding second half to power past Virginia Tech, 10-6, on Friday afternoon inside a chilly Vert Stadium.
Leading 5-4 at the half, HPU (1-2) used a 4-1 run over the first 14 minutes of the second half to build a four-goal advantage it would not relinquish. In all, the Panthers outscored the Hokies 5-2 in the second half.
Senior Julia Burns led the strong defensive effort with a career-best 15 saves while allowing just six goals in a full 60 minutes in the cage. The six goal-output by Virginia Tech (1-3) was the lowest total allowed by the HPU defense this season.
“I’m extremely happy for these girls,” head coach Lyndsey Boswell said. “They worked really hard this week. We had a lot to do after last weekend and I’m really proud of them to get the win at home. Anytime you have six players scoring a combined 10 goals, it’s a huge team effort.”
Five Panthers tallied two points in the game. HPU received two-goal efforts from juniors Leah Pace and Allie Foard, sophomore Samanta Brown and freshman Erica Perrotta. Perrotta also picked up two ground balls, three draw controls and forced two VT turnovers, while Pace picked up a pair of ground balls.
Freshman Erin Ilchuk scored the first two points of her career with a pair of assists, while junior Kristina Renner added an assist and picked up three draw controls. Seniors Abby Berrettone and Kendyl Gardner each posted a score for the Panthers
Virginia Tech held advantages in shots (26-23), ground balls (18-15) and draw controls (10-8), but HPU was +8 (15-7) in saves while limiting the Hokies to a 2-of-12 effort (.143) from the free position. HPU converted a solid 5-of-9 (.556) free position attempts.
The Hokies posted two of the first three goals of the game, before Berrettone tied it at 2-2 off a great feed from Ilchuk. Perrotta scored off the free position with 9:11 to go in the first half to give HPU a 3-2 edge and Foard added another free position goal to build a 4-2 High Point lead. After Virginia Tech pulled within one, Foard tallied a free position score to make it 5-3 with 4:47 to go, but the Hokies posted the final goal of the period to move within one (5-4) at the break.
Perrotta posted her second goal just a minute into the second half to put HPU back up two (6-4), but VT answered just 30 seconds later to make it 6-5. But from there, the Panthers posted the next three goals to power ahead 9-5 with 16:02 to play in the game. Virginia Tech cut it to three (9-6) with 13:23 left, but Brown added an unassisted goal with 7:34 to play to give HPU the final four-goal margin.
HPU returns to action on Monday (Feb. 23) when the Panthers travel to Harrisonburg, Va., to take on No. 20 James Madison. First draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.