Springfield, Ohio – The Wittenberg women's lacrosse team took down the Gators of Allegheny College 19-13 in their final home game of the season on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers finished with five players finding their way into the scoring column on the day, as Rachel Bernard and Emily Wadds led the scoring for the Red and White with five goals each. Wittenberg jumped out to an early 9-7 lead at the break, holding on to their advantage throughout the second half by outscoring the Gators 10-6.
Game Breakdown
Wittenberg found the back of the Allegheny net three times before the first 10 minutes elapsed. Katurah Emery put the Tigers on the board to start the day less than a minute into the game, capitalizing on the Madeline Stock assist. Wittenberg found the back of the net twice more less than a minute later when Wadds recorded her first goal of the game and Emery capitalized on the free position attempt. Josee Clayton started off her first half hat-trick with a goal in the 25th minute of action. Rachel Bernard slotted her first goal of the afternoon, coming off the assist from Gretchen Burkey, extending the Tiger lead out to 5-2. Clayton completed her hat trick with 20 minutes remaining in the half, scoring back-to-back goals, as the second goal went in on the Sami Skelly assist. Bernard added her second goal of the day by capitalizing on the free position attempt and helping the Tigers regain the lead at 8-7. Gabby Zysik found the back of the net for the first time by following through on the Stock assist, helping close out the first half with a 9-7 lead.
Wittenberg would once again open up the scoring to start the second half, as Wadds tallied her second goal of the day, extending the Tiger advantage out to 10-7. It was a back and forth battle in the second half as the two sides traded goals, Wadds and Bernard helped extend the Tiger advantage over the Gators to 14-11 with back-to-back goals. Clayton, Wadds and Bernard would each find the goal once more in the final 10 minutes of action, as the Red and White would cruise to a 19-13 win over Allegheny.
Who Stood Out
Bernard led the Wittenberg defensive effort with five caused turnovers, adding four draw control wins with three ground ball pick-ups to her credit. Burkey forced three Allegheny turnovers with two ground balls on the day. Joanna Stecz stood strong in goal for the Red and White, making 11 saves against 24 shots faced.
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will close out the season on Saturday, April 27, traveling to Hiram College for a 3:00 PM showdown against the Terriers.