ROCK HILL, SC – Four Eagles recorded hat tricks Friday afternoon as the Winthrop lacrosse team picked up a 17-9 season-opening victory over the East Carolina Buccaneers. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The two squads managed only four goals through the opening 14:11 of the first half with each team netting two.  Winthrop (1-0) then got rolling on offense, scoring five straight to take a 7-2 lead.  East Carolina (0-2) scored its third goal of the half with just over six minutes left before halftime but Winthrop closed with the final two to take a 9-3 lead into the break.

The Eagles continued its offensive pressure into the second half, scoring five unanswered goals in 10:35 to open a commanding 14-3 lead.  The Buccaneers chipped away at the Winthrop lead, outscoring the Eagles 5-2 over the final 13 minutes of the contest but the deficit was too big to overcome as the Eagles took the 17-9 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Six Eagles landed on the scoresheet, led by Katherine Judge who finished with four goals.  Kristen Shriver tallied five points on three goals and two assists and Katie Clark and Allie Yeager each scored three times.  Nicole Beatson and Bianaca Tedesco each recorded two goals and two assists.

Defensively, Alaina Girani finished the game with nine saves.  Judge tallied three caused turnovers and picked up five ground balls while Laura Trilling and McKenna Blick each forced two turnovers.

The two teams were even in shots after the first half at 12-12, but Winthrop ended up outshooting East Carolina 28-22 overall.  The Eagles controlled the draw well, grabbing 17 draw controls to ECU's 11. 

WHAT'S UP NEXT

Winthrop will have a short turnaround as the Eagles return to Eagle Field at 12 p.m. on Sunday to host the Cincinnati Bearcats.