via Rollins press release/website, by Michael Pierce, photo by Mike Watters

Caroline and Charlotte Gastonguay combined for six goals, three assists, six ground balls, and five caused turnovers on Thursday

BOX SCORE

HICKORY, N.C. (February 9, 2023) – The 10th-ranked Rollins women’s lacrosse team jumped out to a big lead early and held off a late charge from Lenoir-Rhyne for a 10-9 victory on Thursday afternoon in both team’s season opener.

Caroline Gastonguay finished with three goals and two assists to go along with five ground balls and four caused turnovers, while Charlotte Gastonguay tallied three goals, one assist, one ground ball, and one caused turnover. Rachel Schlesinger (1-0) earned the win in goal, backing four saves on nine shots against in just over 40 minutes of play. 

Ellie Campbell scored three goals and picked up three ground balls for the Bears, while Chloe Christensen chipped in two goals and seven draw controls. Teanna Sieben (0-1) took the loss despite making 19 saves on 29 shots faced.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter

• Caroline Gastonguay got the Tars on the board first with a free position shot goal less than five minutes into the contest.
• Caroline Gastonguay tallied her second goal less than 90 seconds later, and Caroline Bailey made it 3-0 with a free position shot goal 15 seconds after that.
• The Bears got their first goal with 2:16 to go in the quarter, but Delanie Aberie answered that with her first collegiate goal with just over a minute left in the period.

Second Quarter

• Ashley Goldstein scored at the 10:32 mark of the second to build the lead to 5-1.
• Lenoir-Rhyne made it 5-2 a few minutes later, but Caroline Gastonguay quickly got that goal back for the Tars just 41 seconds later, making it a 6-2 game.
• Charlotte Gastonguay scored with 1:16 to play in the first half to make it 7-2, but the Bears got a late goal to make it 7-3 at the break.

Third Quarter

• Bailey’s second goal of the game came with 9:04 to go in the third quarter, increasing the margin to 8-3.
• Lenoir-Rhyne got the next two tallies, but Charlotte Gastonguay’s second marker of the day gave Rollins a 9-5 advantage with 6:03 to go in the period.
• Charlotte Gastonguay’s third goal came with 2:22 to play in the third, but the Bears responded with another goal late in a quarter, cutting the deficit to 10-6 heading to the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

• The Bears kept the pressure on throughout the fourth quarter, holding the Tars off the scoreboard while tallying three goals of their own, cutting the lead to 10-9 with 2:54 to go.
• Rollins was stout defensively over the final few minutes, not allowing Lenoir-Rhyne to gain control after the lead was trimmed to a goal, and the Tars held on for the 10-9 victory. 

UP NEXT:
The Tars will head to Gaffney, S.C. for a matchup at Limestone on Saturday, Feb. 11, which is slated for a 12 p.m. start.

Fans can follow the Tars all season long at RollinsSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest #TARnation news by following Rollins Sports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.