SALEM, VA--The Roanoke College women's lacrosse team is off to its best start since the 1999 season, that after beating visiting Bridgewater College 13-5 on Wednesday in Salem, VA. The Maroons are 9-2 overall, matching the best 11-game start since the 1999 campaign. The Maroons are also 4-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Bridgewater falls to 5-7 overall, 1-6 in the ODAC.

The Maroons got off to a quick start to Wednesday's win, scoring two goals in the first minute of play. Chelsea Rankin got the Maroons on the board just 29 seconds into the game and Amanda Hutchins scored the first of her five goals just 23 seconds later. Hutchins got a pass from behind the cage from freshman Brooks Laufman.

Rankin scored her second goal, freshman Paige Mason finished a Bianca Catta-Preta pass, and Hutchins scored again and with 14:05 left in the first half the Maroons owned a 5-0 lead. Emily Bauer got the Eagles on the board with eight minutes left, but Hutchins' third goal of the first half gave the Maroons a 6-1 halftime lead.

The Maroons, who outshot Bridgewater 24-7 in each half, scored the first three goals of the second half to extend their lead to 9-1. Roanoke's lead would get out to as many as nine goals in the second half, that at 12-3 and 13-4.

The Maroons forced 19 Bridgewater turnovers in the game, getting a team-high three caused turnovers from sophomore Bianca Catta-Preta. Catta-Preta also added an assist and two groundballs. Sophomore Kayla Moore had two goals and four groundballs, while Katharine DiNinno had three groundballs.

Bridgewater freshman goalie Colleen Schwind made 16 saves, including nine in the first half of play. Lauren Kondor had two goals for the Eagles.

The Maroons host ODAC rival Virginia Wesleyan at 2:00pm on Saturday afternoon in Salem.

Roanoke vs. Bridgewater Box Score