NORFOLK, Va. – Eleven first-half goals carried the Old Dominion women's lacrosse team (2-2) to a 17-4 win over visiting Delaware State (0-2) at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
"I thought that our team was really focused today," head coach Heather Holt said. "We played with more poise and confidence. I am really proud of all of our athletes. This win was truly a team effort. Hopefully we can take this confidence and move forward throughout the rest of the week."
The Monarchs received goal contributions from eight different individuals, including first-time goal scorer Olivia Tanneberger. The freshman from Corning, New York scored two times, both in the first half.
Lilly Siskind matched her career high with four goals and added an assist to share the game high in points with five. Caroline Shaefer notched her second-consecutive hat trick with three goals, two coming from free-position attempts, and had a team-high four draw controls. Lindsay Baer chipped in three goals as well for the first hat trick of her career. Claire Porter scored twice and handed out three assists for a five-point outing.
Siskind and Baer scored in quick succession to give ODU an early 2-0 advantage with 24:23 to play in the first half. The Hornets scored their first goal of the game at the 23:39 mark, but the Monarchs rattled off five-straight goals to make the score 7-1. Siskind scored two times during the run, and Shafer added a goal from a woman-up advantage.
Nina Dillard broke the run with 14:53 left in the half, but the last four goals of the period went to ODU. Siskind scored her 10th goal of the season with 11:08 left to play with the assist going to Maddie Mullenbach. Mullenbach set up Tanneberger for her first collegiate goal less than 60 seconds later. Shaefer added an unassisted tally at the 6:47 mark, and Tanneberger closed out the first half with a woman-up goal at the 2:31 mark.
The intermission did not blunt the Monarchs' momentum as ODU scored the first five goals of the second half for a 9-0 run spanning both periods. Baer opened the second-half scoring at the 26:53 mark before Tess Meurling and Katie McGrain netted their lone goals of the afternoon. Shaefer completed her hat trick at the 18:20 mark to put the Monarchs up 15-2. Haley O'Connor punctuated the extended run with an unassisted effort with 16:20 left on the clock.
Gwenna Gentle netted twice for the Hornets before Porter scored from a free-position attempt right before the final horn sounded.
Lauren Carey and Siskind shared the game high with three caused turnovers. Siskind also scooped up a game-high five ground balls to set a personal best. Carey had a career-high four ground balls.
ODU's defense pestered the Hornets into 22 turnovers, second-most by an opponent this season. The Monarchs were nearly perfect in clears, going 18-for-19, and had a sizeable 22-9 edge in ground balls.
Jenna Peccia started in goal for the Monarchs and made three saves for her second win of the season. Sabrina Leatherwood made one stop and did not allow a goal in 18:22 of action, and Brianna Blatter added a trio of saves.
Moe Brown logged 10 saves in a losing effort for DSU. Gentle scored three goals for the Hornets.
The Monarchs return to the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Saturday for a 1 p.m. match with George Washington.
Women’s Lacrosse Handles Delaware State, 17-4
