NORFOLK, Va. -- Ashmore Standing scored a game-high four goals to lead the Old Dominion women's lacrosse team over Furman, 9-6, in the Atlantic Sun opener on Sunday afternoon at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
Old Dominion (8-2, 1-0 A-Sun) is off to its best 10-game start to a season in program history.
The Lady Monarchs surged out to an early 3-0 lead in the first seven minutes of play. Standing opened the scoring for ODU, converting a free position attempt less than three minutes into the game. Mary Margaret McCaleb and Natalie Ledwitz then netted consecutive goals to give ODU a three-goal cushion.
Furman (6-5, 1-1 A-Sun), who defeated Howard, 20-5, in its A-Sun opener on Friday night, responded with back-to-back goals to cut the lead to one. Megan Cameron then fired home a free position attempt in the final two minutes of the half to give ODU a 4-2 lead heading into halftime.
At the half, ODU held a 14-6 advantage in shots and a 5-2 edge in draw controls.
ODU carried that momentum into the second half, as Standing netted her second and third goals of the game less than a minute apart to extend the lead to 6-2. The two teams would then trade goals for the remainder of the game, and ODU would hold on for the 9-6 victory.
Morgan Marrale and Megan Topper rounded out the scoring for the Lady Monarchs, as they combined for a total of two goals and three assists. Cydney Tutchton also added an assist.
Defensively, ODU held Furman to just 15 shots, while forcing the Paladins into 22 turnovers. Connor Carson and Ledwitz led the ODU defense with a pair of caused turnovers each. Carson also tallied a team-high three draw controls.
Maggi Buckley earned the win in net for ODU, playing the full 60 minutes and recording seven saves.
Overall, the Lady Monarchs outshot Furman, 26-15, and held a 10-7 lead in draw controls and a 19-16 advantage in ground balls.
Ashley Trice led the Paladins with three goals, while Abby Shields added a goal and two assists.
UP NEXT
ODU travels to Florida for a pair of A-Sun contests against Stetson and Jacksonville. The Lady Monarchs take on Stetson on Friday, April 8, at 7 p.m. before battling reigning A-Sun champ Jacksonville on Sunday, April 10, at 12 p.m.
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