(PITTSBURGH) – The Wilson women's lacrosse team continued its best start in program history as it defeated La Roche on a rainy, chilly afternoon. In doing so the Phoenix set a new program record for most goals in a single game with 22 and the largest margin of victory as they defeated the Redhawks by 19 goals
The Basics
Score: Wilson 22, La Roche 3
Venue: Baierl Athletic Complex
Records: Wilson 4-0, La Roche 0-4
How It Happened
- The Phoenix didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard as Emily Young (So., Fairfax, Va. / Chantilly) took the opening draw to set the offense in motion. Anna Gibson (Jr., Cecil County, Md. / Perryville) fired a shot shortly after that was wide, but Wilson retained possession and Jill Ahlgren (Jr., Mercersburg, Pa. / Mercersburg) found the back of the net on an assist from Wilson just 41 seconds into the contest.
- Gibson set up the next goal for the Phoenix as well as she found Paige Reynolds (Sr., Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) just 1:29 later. Sage Lague (So., Fairplay, Md. / Goretti) made it 3-0 on a helper from Delaney Fulfer (Jr., Greencastle, Pa. / Greencastle) before Ahlgren scored her second of the game midway through the first. La Roche eventually got on the board as Jade Fuccaro scored to make it 4-1 to close out the first.
- Wilson got off to a fast start once again to start the second as Lague scored her second as the Phoenix benefitted from being a woman up. The Redhawks answered less than a minute later, but the Blue and Black didn't let them keep any momentum and reeled off the next six goals to make the score 11-2 before La Roche scored again just under two minutes before the half.
- Once the third started, Ahlgren took control and went on a tear by scoring the first four goals on assists by Lague, Megan Simms (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Governor Thomas Johnson), and Hope Sanders (So., Hanover, Pa. / New Oxford). Young and Lague eventually broke Ahlgren's streak with goals to give Wilson a 17-3 lead headed to the fourth. Ahlgren, Fulfer, Young, Gibson and Simms all scored goals in the final period to set up the final score.
Inside The Numbers
- Ahlgren had another masterful day as she finished with 10 points on seven goals and three assists for a second time this season. She now has 20 goals and seven assists for 27 points through four games.
- She didn't just get the job done on offense. Ahlgren was a force on defense and on draws as well. She caused seven turnovers, picked up 10 ground balls, and won 11 draw controls to help the Phoenix control possession for a majority of the contest.
- Lague finished with seven points on five goals and two assists. Reynolds clocked in with four goals.
- Krystal Kienast (Jr., Purcellville, Va. / Loudon Valley) received the start in goal and made one save in the first half before Morgan Melucci (Fy., Hanover, Pa. / South Western) came on in relief in the second half and also made a save.
- Wilson dominated in loose ball situations with a 24-5 advantage in draw controls and a 28-17 lead in ground balls. Of those, La Roche only won two draw controls in the second half, both of which came in the fourth quarter, and seven ground balls with six in the third and one in the fourth.
- Wilson outshot the Redhawks 42-8.
- The 19 goal differential is a new program record for margin of victory surpassing 15 set twice last season in a 19-4 win at Centenary and 17-2 victory at Hollins.
- It's just the second time in program history that Wilson has scored 20 or more goals. The only other time the Phoenix accomplished the feat was March 20, 2012, in a 20-9 win over Trinity Washington.
Up Next
The road games continue for the Phoenix as they head to the beach for a spring break game at Virginia Wesleyan. They'll take on the Marlins in Virginia Beach on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
