(HARRISONBURG, Va.) – Wilson got back into the win column with an impressive performance against Eastern Mennonite on Wednesday afternoon. A well-balanced Phoenix attack and suffocating defense limited the Royals' opportunities as the visitors jumped out to a big lead in the first half.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 19, Eastern Mennonite 7
Venue: EMU Turf Field
Records: Wilson 5-2, Eastern Mennonite 1-6
How It Happened
- Despite the score, it was the Royals that actually struck first as Alex Palizzi scored just 21 seconds into the game. Any momentum generated was short lived, however, as the Phoenix took advantage of an EMU turnover and scored on a shot from Anna Gibson (Jr., Cecil County, Md. / Perryville) just 65 seconds later. It was the start of a huge quarter for Gibson as she scored a natural hat trick to put Wilson up 3-1 midway through the first.
- A Jill Ahlgren (Jr., Mercersburg, Pa. / Mercersburg) score put Wilson up three before the Royals scored again to make it 4-2 with 3:26 left in the frame. The Phoenix were able to squeeze in a couple more thanks to Paige Reynolds (Sr., Keedysville, Md. / Governor Thomas Johnson) and Emily Young (So., Fairfax, Va. / Chantilly) for a 6-2 lead after one.
- The Wilson attack remained hot to start the second as Reynolds scored her second of the day 2:19 into the frame. Sage Lague (So., Fairplay, Md. / Goretti) followed with a pair of goals with the first coming just 11 seconds later and the second 54 seconds later for a 9-2 lead. Ahlgren then added her second for a 10-2 lead. The Royals were able to get one back, but Gibson and Lague both scored to close out the half.
- Young started the offense out in the second half with a pair of goals sandwiched around one from EMU to put the Phoenix up 14-4. Ahlgren and Lague both added goals to send the Phoenix to the fourth up 12.
- Eastern Mennonite generated some offense with three-straight goals to open the final frame, but the deficit was much too large to overcome. The Phoenix spent most of the time on offense for the remainder of the game with Ahlgren, Gibson and Lague all adding goals to set up the final score.
Inside The Numbers
- Gibson and Ahlgren led all players with eight points each. Gibson totaled hers on five goals and three assists while Ahlgren's was split between four and four. For Gibson, the goals and points were a career-high while the assists tied her previous collegiate-best.
- Lague also had a strong day as she scored five goals in a game for the second time this season and fourth time in her career.
- Young finished with a hat trick and an assist for a season-best four points.
- Overall the offense was fairly balanced with seven players combining to score 30 points. Marissa Eisenhauer (Jr., Denville, N.J. / Morris Knolls) provided a pair of assists while Delaney Fulfer (Jr., Greencastle, Pa. / Greencastle) notched her second assist of the season.
- Of course it wasn't just big numbers on the attacking side of the field. The defense continued to put up incredible numbers as well. Of the 21 Royals turnovers, 18 of them were caused by the Phoenix back line.
- Ahlgren led the way with six caused turnovers as she continues to be one of the top two-way threats in the nation. In addition to that she picked up nine ground balls and won 11 draw controls. All three were game-high numbers.
- Megan Simms (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Governor Thomas Johnson), Odessa Kalathas (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg), and Young also provided multiple caused turnovers.
- Between the pipes Krystal Kienast (Jr., Purcellville, Va. / Loudon Valley) was once again over the 50% threshold as she made nine saves on 19 shots faced.
- Wilson outshot the Royals 28-19.
For The Royals
- Amber Bonds led the Royals offense with three goals. Shayleigh Sims paced the defense with four caused turnovers and five ground balls.
Up Next
The Phoenix finally return home and will set up shop for a three-game homestand. The first of those will take place against Goucher on Tuesday with a start time of 4 p.m.
