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Women’s Lacrosse Earns First Win in Program History over Ave Maria

BOX SCORE

BABSON PARK, Fla. (February 23, 2022) – The Webber International University women’s lacrosse team hosted the Gyrenes of Ave Maria University for its third Mid-South Conference game of the season on Wednesday afternoon. There were four lead changes throughout the game but the Warriors ultimately held off the Gyrenes to earn their first victory in program history, 15-12.

The Warriors (1-3 overall, 1-2 MSC) were slightly outshot by the Gyrenes (0-3, 0-1) 34-30. However, Webber forced its opposition into more turnovers and scooped up 19 ground balls compared to the 12 of Ave Maria.

Ave Maria would pick up the first two goals of the game, getting an early 2-0 lead just six minutes into the first quarter. The Warriors would score their first goal less than a minute later after a solo goal from freshman Samantha Esher. With just over seven minutes remaining in the quarter, Esher would turn provider, assisting a goal to Sydney Britton to level the game at 2-2. Four minutes into the second quarter, Webber would take its first lead of the game after a solo goal from Courtnie Couch. Another goal from Esher would extend the lead to two with just under 10 minutes until halftime. The Gyrenes would then score three-straight goals over a five minute span to retake the lead at 5-4. A goal from Couch would knot the game up before yet another goal from Esher would earn her the hat-trick and the Warriors the lead. The back-and-forth scoring would continue as Ave Maria would score to tie the game back at 6-6. Just 18 seconds later, a goal from Sydney Britton assisted by Victoria Orozco would regain the lead for the Warriors as they would head into halftime up 7-6.

The Warriors would start the second half strong after another goal from Britton followed by back-to-back goals from Kaitlyn Patterson, extending the lead to 10-6. The Gyrenes would then score five-straight goals over the final eight and a half minutes of the third quarter to shift the momentum in their favor, 11-10, heading into the final quarter. Three minutes into the fourth quarter, Esher would score her fourth goal of the game to followed by a goal from Natalie Baumgarten to retake the lead. Webber would then build upon that lead after two goals in two minutes from Patterson and then Couch, both assisted by Britton. Ave Maria would score one final goal to cut the deficit to two but a final goal from Patterson with just over a minute remaining would seal the game for the Warriors.

Four Warriors finished with hat-tricks as offensively, they were led by Esher with four goals and two assists for a total of six points followed by Patterson with four goals and one assist. Britton finished with three goals and two assists while Couch finished with three goals and led the team with four draw controls. Reyanna Troupe led the Warriors in both ground balls with seven and caused turnovers with four. Jordyn Davidson spent all 60 minutes in goal, making 14 saves along the way to help the Warriors to their first win of the season.

“I’m so proud of my team and this program,” Head Coach Destinee Johnson spoke after the game. “We had a slow start but we pulled it together and made it happen. We stayed together as a team and left everything on the field. Getting better everyday is our motto and we will take this win and continue to grow.”

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Webber Rallies in Fourth to Top AMU

BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women’s lacrosse team took a lead into the fourth quarter on Wednesday evening, but could not hang on for their first win of the season, falling 15-12 to the Webber International University Warriors. Ave Maria led 11-10 with 15 minutes to play, but Webber outscored the Gyrenes 5-1 in the final frame to emerge with their first victory of the season. 

The first quarter started quickly, with four goals in the first eight minutes. Emma Davis scored twice in the first six minutes of the game for AMU, with Hannah Shaffrey adding an assist on the goal that put the Gyrenes up 2-0. Webber answered with two goals of their own, with Samantha Esher and Sydney Britton doing the scoring. Neither team could score in the final seven minutes of the quarter, leaving the score even at two after 15 minutes.

Webber continued their scoring to start the second quarter, as goals from Courtnie Couch and Esher gave the hosts a 4-2 lead. Ave Maria responded with three unanswered goals to retake the edge. Shaffrey scored her second goal of the game, then assisted on goals from Davis and Orianna Eldridge. However, Webber scored three of the final four goals in the first half, and held a 7-6 lead at halftime. 

Ave Maria rallied from a 10-6 deficit in the third quarter, coming after Webber scored the first three goals of the frame. Abigail Seiler started the Gyrene rally with back-to-back goals, while Shaffrey and Emma Baughman scored goals to tie the game at ten. The final goal of the quarter was scored by Eldridge, giving Ave Maria an 11-10 lead at the end of the third. 

In the fourth quarter, Webber scored four unanswered goals to take the lead for good. Four different Warriors found the back of the net during that run, including Natalie Baumgarten, Kaitlyn Patterson, Couch, and Esher. The Gyrenes were able to get back within two on a Baughman goal, but a second fourth quarter goal from Patterson with 1:16 left essentially put the game away.

Shaffrey was the leading scorer for the Gyrenes in the losing effort, logging six points with two goals and four assists. Baughman and Davis both posted hat tricks for Ave Maria, scoring three goals each. Seiler was the AMU leader on the draw, logging 12 draw controls, while Eldridge pulled in six.

Ave Maria’s next six games will be out of Mid-South Conference play, a stretch that begins Monday when the Gyrenes travel to the Hawkeye State. The Gyrenes begin their Spring Break trip to the midwest with a game against William Penn University, who are coached by AMU’s all-time leading scorer, Katelyn Sherman. Opening draw between AMU and WPU is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. local time, 5:00 p.m. eastern.