SALISBURY, N.C. — The Catawba College women's lacrosse team scored first in a competitive start, but an up-tempo attack by IUP emerged and took control in a 21-9 result at Shuford Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
TEAM STATS
- Except for a seven-shot difference in the third period, Catawba (3-4) kept the shooting margin close with 22 attempts to rival the 38 deliveries by IUP (3-4)
- The turnover margin went the Crimson Hawks' way at 19-15, but the Catawba Indians flipped the difference on its head in the fourth stanza by forcing five miscues and committing just two
- Catawba and IUP came out even in the ground ball count as each side notched 18 pickups
- IUP was an efficient 18-for-21 (.857) on the clear while the visitors held Catawba to a 10-for-15 (.667) ledger in transition
- After the blue and white led 9-5 in draw controls at halftime, the Crimson Hawks flocked to the ball in the final two quarters to win the battle 18-14
- Ava Kunza went the distance for Catawba with 11 saves; Lauren Legrand earned the win with five saves as Mia Courtalis stopped three shots in 12 minutes of relief
INDIVIDUAL STATS
- Layne Macknik registered her first career multi-goal affair with two goals and one assist while also setting career highs of three ground balls and five draw controls
- Erynne McNulty tickled the twine twice, finding paydirt with both of her shots on goal
- Maddie Fox boasted a solid all-around day with a team-high four ground balls, two caused turnovers, three draw controls and one goal
- Skylar Mullin scored a goal with a trio of draw controls and one ground ball grab
- Emily Better and Mary Sorvillo combined for five ground ball pickups as Sorvillo and Ava Stanza logged one caused turnover apiece; each of the three players found the back of the net once
- Kunza pestered the Crimson Hawks for two caused turnovers and four ground ball pickups in the crease
UP NEXT
Catawba resumes South Atlantic Conference play on Wednesday, Mar. 18, at home against Lenoir-Rhyne in its first night game of the season. The matchup is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at Shuford Stadium.
