Visting Wesleyan Powers Past Wellesley Lacrosse

Visting Wesleyan Powers Past Wellesley Lacrosse

WELLESLEY, Mass. – The visiting Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team powered to a 14-4 win over Wellesley College on Wednesday afternoon in Wellesley. The win evens the Cardinals to 3-3 overall, while Wellesley dips to 2-3.

Wesleyan used a commanding 38-12 advantage in shots, including out-shooting the Blue 25-4 in the first half. The Cardinals were aided by a five-point performance from Meredith Smith, while Abby Wheeler scored three times in the win.

The visitors scored early and often, as Wesleyan built an 8-0 advantage to start the game. Smith notched three first-half scores, while Wheeler found the back of the net twice in the opening stanza.

With their offense rolling, Wesleyan's defense held the Blue scoreless for the first 29 minutes and 21 seconds of the game. The Blue finally broke through with 39 seconds remaining in the half, as Courtney Peterson scored on a helper from Chesley Hooker to make it 8-1 Wesleyan at the break.

The second half was more of the same with the Cardinals increasing their lead to 12-1 after opening with four-straight goals. Smith and Wheeler scored again for Wesleyan, while Abby D'Angelo and Morgan Moubayed also added goals.

Wellesley closed out the game by scoring three of the contest's final five goals, but the Wesleyan lead proved to be insurmountable, giving the Cardinals the 14-4 win.

Aside from Smith and Wheeler, Wesleyan got two goals each from Hannah Plappert and D'Angelo, while Maddy Coulter, Martha Harding and Moubayed also scored for the visitors. Coulter tallied a pair of assists in the win, while Caitlin Daniels, Audrey Le and Smith added helpers.

Smith led the Cardinals on the draw, tallying a game-high five draw controls, while Leah Sherman added three. Defensively, Daphne Kroessler recorded three caused turnovers, while Daniels and Emily Gretsky added two each. Nina Labovich got the win in goal, needing only one save in the first 30 minutes. Grace McCann played the second half, recording five saves.

For Wellesley, goals from Courtney Peterson, Brit MsciszNikki Sharkin and Meghan Peterson accounted for the offense. Both Petersons also recorded two caused turnovers, while Meghan recorded four ground balls.

Elsewhere for the Blue, Claire Canty had a team-high four draw controls, while Caitlin Crawford and Sharkin added three each. In goal for Wellesley, Wendy Nettleton made a career-high 14 saves.

Wellesley is back in action on Saturday, opening NEWMAC play with a 12:00pm game against Smith College. Wesleyan is also back in action on Saturday, hosting Skidmore at 1:00pm.