• Senior Emily Meier matched her career high in goals (4) and points (5)
• Freshman goalie Molly Andrews made 10 saves while allowing just nine goals
• The stellar HPU defense caused 13 JMU turnovers; HPU’s offense scored 15 goals on 24 shots (.625)
HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s lacrosse team (1-2) put together a fantastic performance on both ends of the field en route to big time victory over No. 21 James Madison Sunday.
The Panthers registered the 15-9 triumph on the strength of efficient offensive play, as HPU scored on 15 of their 24 shots (.625) and put 21 of 24 shots on goal (.875).
The High Point defensive unit caused an impressive 14 turnovers, while freshman goalie Molly Andrews returned from injury to post a critical 10 saves.
“I’m most proud of the way the girls prepared this week and followed the game plan. We executed our plan to perfection,” head coach Lyndsey Boswell said. “It’s always nice to see eight players score and the defense was tough, strong and executed on their end. Molly made great saves all day. I’m excited for this team, this win and what it does for our program.”
The High Point offense was balanced and formidable throughout the day. Senior Emily Meier matched her career highs in points (5) and goals (4) while fellow senior Allie Foard notched three goals and posted five of her six shots on goal.
Senior Leah Pace tallied a season-high three points (2g, 1a) while junior Samantha Brown added three points on two goals and an assist while going 2-for-2 from the free position.
Freshman Emory Gaeng enjoyed a breakout performance with a career-best three points (1g, 2a) and sophomore Erica Perrotta enjoyed her typical solid all-around game with a goal, three caused turnovers and a pair of draw controls.
Freshman Hayley Norris notched three ground balls and three caused turnovers to pace the Panther defense, while junior Christina Del Sesto also posted three caused turnovers. Freshman Sam Herman notched a game-high four draw controls and registered her first collegiate goal.
HPU limited JMU to just a 3-of-10 performance (.300) from the free position, while High Point converted 2-of-5 attempts (.400). The Dukes held advantages in draw controls (14-12) and ground balls (24-19), but HPU thrived defensively on the strength of 10 saves by Andrews in a full 60 minutes in cage.
The Panthers struck early and often, with goals from Meier and Brown pacing the Purple & White to a 2-0 lead just four minutes into the game. After a JMU score, the Panthers put together a 4-0 run with goals from four different players (Herman, Meier, Foard, Perrotta).
The Dukes answered back with two goals to cut the lead to three (6-3) at the 16:37 mark, but goals from Foard and Pace pushed the Panther edge back to five (8-3).
The Panthers got back-to-back goals from Foard and Pace again to move ahead by six (11-5) and HPU took a 11-6 lead into halftime.
Gaeng notched her first career goal to increased the lead to six (12-6) early in the second half, but after seven minutes of scoreless action, JMU tallied a goal to move back within five (12-7) at the 20:06 mark. Two more goals from Kristina Renner and Meier gave the Panthers their largest lead (14-7), and the Dukes could not move closer than six for the remainder of the game.
HPU returns to Vert Stadium Wednesday (Mar. 2) for a matchup with BIG EAST foe Villanova (1-3). First draw is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Vert Stadium.