The Brevard College Women’s Lacrosse team (1-0) won its season opener in impressive fashion with a 14-5 victory over visiting Brenau (0-1) at Ives-Level Family Field.
The Tornados were led by offensively by junior Jezika Gunter who scored a career-high six goals. Kelly Wilkins recorded three goals and an assist, while Hannah Scharf (2 goals, 1 assist) and Hunter Denney (2 goals) also registered multiple-point performances. Tabor Ryan registered her first career assist as well.
Brevard was dominant in the first half, outscoring Brenau 10-0 as Gunter scored four of her six goals and the BC defense blanked the Tigers for the opening 30 minutes. The Tornados were also highly successful with clearances in the first half, converting 10-of-12 clear attempts in the opening stanza.
“We put up ten great goals in the first half to get everything going,” said Head Coach Kristin Rosato. “Overall, I am really pleased. As a young team, we have some things to fix, but I feel good about that first win.”
Scharf opened the scoring parade with a successful free-position shot less than three minutes into the contest. Gunter then scored her first two goals in less than a one-minute span to give the Tornados a 3-0 lead after 12 minutes. Denney would add two goals to go along with two more goals by Gunter as well as scores by Wilkins and Scharf to give the Tornados a 9-0 lead.
Ryan would then find McRae with just 35 seconds left in the first half to give Brevard a 10-0 lead at halftime.
Brenau would actually outscore Brevard 5-4 in the second half, but the 10-goal deficit was too much for the Tigers to overcome. Wilkins and Gunter each scored two goals in the second half to help solidify the win for the Tornados.
Brevard goalkeeper Katherine Collins (1-0) registered five saves while fending off 10 shots on goal by Brenau. ollins and the BC defense posted a shutout in the first half and for the first 32:46 of the contest until Brenau scored its first goal with 27:14 to play in the second half.
“Brenau woke up a bit in the second half and went at us and had some good goals,” added Coach Rosato. “But I think overall with what our game plan was, I think our defense did a good job.”.
The season-opener also marked the first career games played for freshmen Morgan Graham and Lauren Ward.
The Tornados will return to action on Tuesday, February 19 with a road game at mountain foe Montreat College in Montreat, N.C.