LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Sweet Briar College lacrosse team (0-8, 0-2 ODAC) fell on the road this afternoon to the Randolph College WildCats (2-6, 1-0 ODAC), 18-6.
Sweet Briar came out firing in the first quarter, answering Randolph's opening goal with a three-goal surge to briefly take control at WildCat Stadium. Sophomore
Elise Palazzo (Allentown, Pa.) started the Vixens' scoring at 9:51 in the first, burying a free-position opportunity to tie the game 1–1, and just over a minute later, first-year
Lyndsay Davis (Mocksville, N.C.) gave Sweet Briar its first lead off a feed from sophomore Kayla Nuhl (Hayward, Calif.) in transition. Davis struck again less than a minute later, finishing a setup from senior
Liz Carr (Charlottesville, Va.) to push the advantage to 3–1 and cap a dominant early stretch that also saw sophomore goalie
Mack Markham (Denver, N.C.) turn away multiple Randolph chances to protect the lead. Randolph responded with four straight goals to close the quarter, but Sweet Briar's first-period push, including five draw controls from Davis, set an aggressive tone.
In the second quarter, Sweet Briar continued to generate offense and free-position looks while trying to keep pace with Randolph's surge. Nuhl converted another free-position shot at 11:31 to cut the deficit to 5–4 after strong work in the ride and a clear by Markham set up the offensive possession. Davis stayed active on both ends, causing turnovers and collecting ground balls to create additional possessions, while Palazzo and first-year
Caitlin Weaver (Wellford, S.C.) each drew free-position attempts to keep Randolph's defense under pressure. Despite the Vixens' efforts, Randolph closed the half on a run to take a 13–5 lead into the break, but Sweet Briar continued to battle through the final minutes of the period.
The third quarter featured more two-way work from the Vixens as they fought to chip away at the deficit. After the Wildcats opened the scoring on a man-up opportunity, Sweet Briar responded by generating another free-position look for Palazzo and continued defensive stands from Markham in goal, who stopped multiple Randolph shots. Davis delivered Sweet Briar's lone goal of the frame at 8:15, cashing in yet another free-position chance to make it 15–6 after previously ringing a shot off the post earlier in the quarter. Ground balls from players like first-year
Hadyn Kuhns (Spotsylvania, Va.) and Markham, along with clears under pressure, helped Sweet Briar withstand extended Randolph possessions late in the period.
In the fourth quarter, Sweet Briar continued to generate chances but could not find the back of the net despite several looks from Davis and the offensive unit. Markham continued her strong effort in the cage with additional saves on Randolph shooters. Defensively, first-year
Natalie Calderon-Lemus (Manassas, Va.), Weaver and Carr were active in the midfield and defensive third, forcing turnovers and contesting clears as Randolph added two more goals to set the final score at 18–6.
Highlights
- Davis scored a career-high four goals.
- Markham totaled 11 saves in her first collegiate outing in goal.
What's Next
Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play will continue against Virginia Wesleyan on April 1st.
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