The Virginia Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team earned a decisive 13-4 victory over Pfeiffer University on Saturday afternoon at home in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Wesleyan was led offensively by Reese Morgenthaler, who scored four goals in the win. Kenna Duplechin added three goals, while Maddisen Selvage and Creelyn Bastinelli each tallied two. Gianna Delevan and Daphne Myers also found the back of the net to round out the Marlins' balanced attack.
The Marlins struck first, with Morgenthaler opening the scoring less than a minute into the contest. Selvage added another midway through the first quarter to give Virginia Wesleyan a 2-0 lead before Pfeiffer answered late to make it 2-1 after one.
In the second quarter, Virginia Wesleyan began to create separation. Duplechin and Bastinelli each scored during a key stretch, while Selvage and Duplechin added additional tallies to help the Marlins take a 6-4 advantage into halftime.
Virginia Wesleyan dominated the second half, holding Pfeiffer scoreless over the final 30 minutes. Bastinelli and Duplechin extended the lead in the third quarter, and Morgenthaler scored in the closing seconds of the period to make it 9-4 heading into the fourth.
The Marlins continued to control play in the final quarter. Myers opened the scoring off an assist from Morgenthaler, and late goals from Morgenthaler and Delevan sealed the 13-4 victory.
With the win, Virginia Wesleyan improves to 3-1 on the season. The Marlins will return to action on Wednesday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m. when they host Albright College in Virginia Beach.