HARRISONBURG, Virginia - The Virginia Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team defeated the Royals of Eastern Mennonite University on Wednesday afternoon in ODAC conference action in Harrisonburg, VA.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Virginia Wesleyan 17 - Eastern Mennonite 5
Records: Virginia Wesleyan 2-7, 2-2 | Eastern Mennonite 0-3, 0-3
Location: EMU Turf Field | Harrisonburg, VA

FIRST HALF

• Virginia Wesleyan dominated the first half scoring their first goal 37 seconds into the contest off a shot from Camryn Gavula from the Natalie Dunn pass.
• The Marlins added ten more goals following the initial score to lead 11-0 with four minutes to play in the half. VWU's ten goals came from five athletes including four from Natalie Dunn, three from Kayla Gush, and one each from Mikayla Szudera, Mikayla Callahan, and Helen Kennedy-Butler.
• Eastern Mennonite did manage to score one goal before the end of the half to head into the break with the Marlins leading 11-1.

SECOND HALF

• The Royals got the scoring started coming out of the break with a single goal about 80 seconds into the return to play. 
• VWU put two more on the board courtesy of Szudera and Kennedy-Butler to increase their lead back to 11 goals, 13-2.
• Just as the clock ticked under 24 minutes remaining, EMU added a third goal but VWU still maintained its ten goal lead.
• Virginia Wesleyan added four more goals for insurance as Gush, Kennedy-Butler, Callahan, and Maddie Gourley all found the back of the net to put the score at 17-3 with five left to play.
• The Royals got the final 'word' in so to speak with a pair of goals to end the game with the Marlins winning 17-5.

KEY STATS

• Natalie Dunn and Kayla Gush both scored four goals in the contest while Helen Kennedy-Butler achieved a hattrick as well with three goals on the day.
• Mikayla Szudera and Melissa Runo tied for the team high with three assists with Mikayla Callahan adding two of her own.
• Callahan recorded a team high four draw controls with Camryn Gavula behind with three.
• Jordan Moilanen (W: 2-7) played 30:14 minutes in goal making five saves while giving up just one goal.
• Brittneyann Hoover played the remaining 29:46 minutes making three saves and giving four goals.

UP NEXT
The women's lacrosse team is back in action again this Saturday, April 10, when they return home to Birdsong field to host the Panthers of Ferrum College. First draw is slated for 12 PM in the ODAC contest while the Marlins will honor their seiors prior to the game for Senior Day 2021.