VIRGINIA BEACH -- Natalie Belva (Colorado Springs,
Colo./Liberty) and Nikki Salyers
(Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) scored four
goals each Saturday as the Virginia Wesleyan College women's
lacrosse team opened the 2011 season with a 23-4 non-conference
victory over Methodist University.
Eleven Marlins overall scored at least one goal as Virginia
Wesleyan tied the third highest total of goals in program
history. It was the highest scoring output by a VWC since
2004 when the Marlins scored 23 goals in a victory over Hollins
University.
An undermanned Methodist team competed one player down the
entire game and without any substitutions. But, the Monarchs
hung in as long as they could. Jamsine Stephens (Clemmons,
N.C./West Forsyth) scored MU's first goal of the season and
hit back-to-back goals later in the first half to help Methodist
pull within an 11-4 score.
But, Virginia Wesleyan closed the half with goals by
Stacey Sank (Elma, N.Y./Iroquois
Central) and Taylor Harding
(Norfolk, Va./Norfolk Collegiate) to tak a 13-4
lead into halftime. The second half was all Virginia Wesleyan
as the Marlins scored 10 unanswered goals, including five in the
first seven minutes.
Virginia Wesleyan helped itself by winning 21 draw controls, the
third highest total in VWC history and the most taken in by a
Marlin team since 2008 when Virginia Wesleyan recorded a program
record 23 against Lynchburg College in Old Dominion Athletic
Conference tournament play. Junior Courtney
Shelton (Prince Frederick, Md./Huntingtown) led the
Marlins with six, Belva added five and senior Tara
Harding (Waterford, N.Y./Clifton Park Shenendehowa)
added four.
Harding and Sank scored three goals each for the Marlins and
Rachel Gratton (Stratham, N.H./Exeter)
and Shelton added two each. Belva led the Marlins with four
assists.
Goalies Brittany MacKnew (Abingdon, Md./Bel
Air) and Michelle Mace (Dumfries,
Va./Woodbridge Forest Park)played a half each for the
Marlins. MacKnew produced four saves.
Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Friday, Feb. 25, in
Chestertown, Md. at Washington College at 7 p.m. It will be
the season opener for the host Shorewomen.
--AMDG--
