Strong First Half Leads Marlins to 14-3 Victory over Hollins

ROANOKE, Va. -- The Virginia Wesleyan College women's lacrosse team, off the strength of a first half surge, was able to defeat Hollins University 14-3 in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) contest to pick up the first win of the season. 

The Marlins put together their best half of the season in the initial period, which was started by first-year Marie Lerch. The midfielder found the back of the net three times in the first five minutes of action, with Liza Holford getting the assist on the first two.

Hollins would stop the bleeding temporarily with a free position goal at the 20:03 mark from Valerie Helmbrecht, pulling HU within three, 4-1.

The Marlins showcased a tremendous offensive display to close the half, scoring five unasnwered goals to give them a 9-1 lead heading into intermission. Three of VWC's goals came off the stick of leading scorer Megan Shallock.  

The Marlins' strong start proved to be enough as Hollins played catch-up the rest of the way. Helmbrecht would add two more goals in the second half, but it was not enough as Wesleyan found the back of the cage five times with Rachel Fuller, Abby Shope, Lerch and Shallock providing the firepower.

Goalkeeper Madison Carroll had a strong day in the crease, posting 10 saves on 13 shots.

Helmbrecht paced Hollins (0-7/0-2) with three goals.

Lerch led the way for the Marlins scoring five goals to go along with one assist. Shallock found the back of the net four times and added three assists. Shope scored twice and assisted on two goals.

Virginia Wesleyan (1-5/1-0) will return to the field Monday at 4:00 p.m. as they travel to Penn St.-Abington (1-2) for a non-conference tilt.