SALEM, VA--The Roanoke College women's lacrosse team picked up its 10th victory of the 2007 season, beating visiting Virginia Wesleyan 13-5 on Saturday in Salem, VA. The Maroons, who are off to their best start to a season since 1997, improve to 10-2 overall, 5-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The Marlins fall to 6-8, 4-2 in the ODAC.
The Maroons won the opening draw of the game and got off three shots in the first three minutes. All three were stopped by Marlin goalie Ashley Sippel. After the third save, the Marlins took possession and scored on their first shot of the game, a goal from Lauren Norris. The Maroons responded three minutes later on a
Kayla Moore finish of an
Amanda Hutchins pass and then took the lead for good with 21:41 to play in the first half. That came on an
Ella Wade goal and a
Rachel Hutchinson assist.
The Maroons scored the next four goals of the first half and led 6-1 at halftime. With 8:24 left in the half Moore scored her third goal. Roanoke senior
Chelsea Rankin won the ensuing draw, took the ball quickly down the field and found freshman
Sunni Ray on the crease for Roanoke's sixth goal, that just 12 seconds after the Moore goal.
The Maroons and Marlins traded goal for the early portion of the second half, but the Maroons scored three of the last four to extend their lead out to as many as nine goals.
Amanda Hutchins had two of those goals, Ray her second of the day. The Marlins got a second goal from Norris, that with 39.5 seconds left, to make the final 13-5.
The Maroon defense, which entered the game seventh in the nation in goals allowed per game (6.2), limited the Marlins to just 14 shots, four in the first half. Senior Katharine DiNinno led all Maroons with three caused turnovers. Sophomore goalie
Katlyn Scarlett, who is fourth in the nation in save percentage (.606), stopped six Marlin shots.
The Maroons are back in action on Thursday in a 7:00pm game against the Vixens of Sweet Briar College. The Maroons then host Greensboro on Saturday at 12:00pm.
Roanoke vs. Virginia Wesleyan Box Score
