via Embry-Riddle press release/website, photo by Kyrin Mayfield

BOX SCORE

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – An 11-goal output in the first half of play lifted the 19th-ranked Embry-Riddle women’s lacrosse team to a 16-9 win over Davenport, Friday at the Embry-Riddle Lacrosse Stadium. The win was the Eagles’ first against Davenport (0-4) and improved Embry-Riddle’s record to 3-1 on the year.

The Zeruto sisters led the way for the Eagles as Alexis and Kenley tallied four goals apiece and combined for three assists. Sallie Squire added three scores and Samantha Reich won a career-best nine draws to go with a goal and three ground balls.

The Panthers took hold of the lead early on, scoring the first two goals of game in the first three minutes of action. Anna Maurer fed Alexa Zeruto for the Eagles’ first goal at the 8:52 mark and scored herself on a free position shot just moments later to tie the score at 2-2. Two goals by Kenley Zeruto and one by Squire gave ERAU a 5-2 cushion at the end of the first quarter.

The Eagle defense continued to shut down the Panther offense through the second period. The Eagles bested the Panthers 5-2 on the draw while outshooting the visitors 14-4. ERAU turned 14 of those shots into goals and at the half, the Eagle lead had swelled to 11-2.

Embry-Riddle extended its lead to 11 goals as Kenley Zeruto and Squire each scored to extend the lead to 13-2 with 6:40 left in the third. At the 2:55 mark Avery Garan got a goal back for the Panthers and a pair of goals by Ayanna Turrabiates cut the ERAU lead to 13-5 heading into the fourth.

Davenport kept their scoring run going with the first two goals of the fourth to further cut into the Eagle advantage. Zariah Durham, Ellie Daily and Alex Zeruto answered for the Eagles, but the Panthers managed to add two more to their tally late in the game, resulting in the 16-9 final.

The Eagles are back at the ERAU Lacrosse Stadium for another early afternoon game on Tuesday, hosting No. 23 Mount Olive at 2 p.m.