GREENSBORO, N.C. – Marina Bailey scored a career-high five goals in Guilford College’s 12-10 women’s lacrosse victory over visiting Methodist University in Saturday’s season opener.
Bailey sparked Guilford’s comeback victory with a pair of late first-half goals that trimmed a 5-2 deficit to 5-4. Methodist’s Kaelyn Holland scored a free-position goal 28 seconds before halftime to give the Monarchs (1-1) a 6-4 halftime lead.
Bailey’s third goal opened the second-half scoring, two-and-a-half minutes into the period, which triggered a decisive 5-0 Quakers’ scoring run. Rookie Amanda Dionne had two goals and an assist in the spurt, including the tying and go-ahead goals just over three minutes apart. Dionne set up Kelly Martin’s goal with 12:27 remaining, which capped the run and opened a 9-6 Guilford lead.
Methodist’s Emily Brennen and Holland answered with back-to-back tallies to pull the Monarchs to within 9-8, but Bailey won the ensuing draw and raced downfield to score her fifth goal and restore a two-goal margin. The Quakers’ Summer Fowler and Amber DuBois followed and Guilford had an insurmountable 12-8 lead.
Bailey also added three ground balls and three draw controls. Dionne finished with four points on three goals and an assist in her college debut. Fowler tallied twice and caused five turnovers in her first game back after missing 2015 with an injury. Sammi Milbourn made six saves in goal.
Madison Ronelli’s three goals led Methodist’s offense. She also had a game-high eight draw controls and caused two turnovers. Brennen and Holland scored twice for the Monarchs. Sareena Coleman added a goal and an assist. Goalie Emily Ewin made two saves in the first half before giving way to Janelle Gant (5 saves) for the second half.
Coach Sarah Lamphier’s Quakers visit Meredith College Wednesday (2/24).