via press release   Panthers get redemption after last season’s loss, defeat Roberts Wesleyan 16-11 Wednesday MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women’s Lacrosse) – Entering just its second season as a program Wednesday, a retooled Florida Tech squad had only one thing on its mind when it stepped onto the turf at Florida Tech Panther Stadium – avenging last year’s loss to Roberts Wesleyan. Sara Grenier notched five goals and an assist, and Allie Modica found the back of the net four times as the Panthers overpowered the Redhawks in the first half en route to a decisive 16-11 victory. Caroline Dunleavy had a strong game on attack, registering two goals and one assist.  A trio of newcomers also made an impact on the offensive half with freshman Sarah Kapinos tallying two goals and an assist, and classmate Jordan Grant adding two scores of her own. Sam Schiano really burst onto the scene, dishing out one assist to go along with five groundballs and a game-high seven draw controls. The Panthers pounced early with Grenier scoring the season’s initial goal just two minutes into the game. Kapinos got her first career goal one minute later to hand FIT an early 2-0 advantage before the Redhawks got on the board off Cassley Jackowski’s unassisted tally. The teams went back and forth over the next 12 minutes as Jackowski found the back of the net again to cut RWC’s deficit to 5-4. Following a Dunleavy free possession goal. FIT closed the first half on a 5-1 run, on goals by Grenier, Dunleavy and Modica, to make it a 10-5 game at the break. Roberts Wesleyan closed the gap to within three following two quick scores by Ali Fox to open the half. The Panthers answered, though, with four straight of their own to increase its advantage to 14-7 with 19:15 remaining on the clock. After the team’s exchanged the next four goals, Jackowski notched her third and fourth scores of the game. However, it was not enough to build momentum for a Redhawks comeback as they were held scoreless the final 10:52 of the contest. Head coach Corinne Desrosiers was pleased with her team’s performance tonight against a Roberts Wesleyan team that defeated it 19-11 last year. “I liked our decision making out there tonight,” she said. “We were obviously much more confident tonight than we were in the same game last season. Our defense looked good. Roberts Wesleyan is a really tough opponent that showed us what our weaknesses spots are, which will really allow us to get better the rest of the year.” Florida Tech outshot RWC 38-24 in the contest, including a 23-12 edge in the first half. Groundballs also went the way of the Panthers as they scooped up 21 to the Redhawks’ 12 in the game.  Both teams competed hard in the center circle with FIT coming out with a 15-14 edge on draw controls. After totaling 10 points in last season’s RWC win, Jackowski again wreaked havoc for the Panther defense, recording four goals and four assists. Fox finished with four goals on five shots and Johannah Price, Loren Dunn and Marlee Dennis each scored one goal in the process. In goal for the Panthers, Stephanie Stuart picked up the victory against the Redhawks, finishing with eight total saves, including a number that she turned away right on the doorstep.  Shannon Knapp earned the loss while recording 11 saves between the pipes for Roberts Wesleyan. Florida Tech is back at it on Saturday when the Panthers visit NAIA member Ave Maria for a 1 p.m. exhibition. FIT defeated the Gyrenes 18-0 last season in Melbourne.   Box Score: http://www.floridatechsports.com/wlacrosse/boxscore/2015-16/5384/roberts-wesleyan-vs-florida-tech-02-17-2016/ 2016 Schedule: http://www.floridatechsports.com/mlacrosse/schedule/ 2016 Roster: http://www.floridatechsports.com/mlacrosse/roster/   Daniel Supraner Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Florida Tech Athletics 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, Fla. 32901 Work: 321-674-7484 Fax: 321-984-8529