WILSON, N.C. - - A three-goal run to start the third quarter helped the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team distance itself from Barton, leading to a 15-8 victory on Saturday to close out the team's trip to the Carolinas.
The Wildcats (4-0) trailed for the first time this season as Barton (2-4) scored the game's opening goal, but the Wildcats responded with the final three goals of the first quarter.
Barton scored to start the second quarter and make it a 3-2 game, but then the Wildcats rattled off four straight to take control. Ella Royer started the run with her second goal of the game and then Anastasia Giannoulis finished a feed from Alea Javorowsky for the second time in the game to make it 5-2. Makenzie Stritzinger then scored back-to-back goals to finish off the run and make it 7-2 with 10:03 to play in the half.
Barton scored the next two goals but Amelie Gamache stopped the momentum with a goal from Maddy Bassoff with 15 seconds left, sending the Wildcats into the break with an 8-4 lead.
Gamache was at it again to start the third quarter, scoring off Javorowsky's fourth assist of the game. Ella Royer quickly scored again and then Gamache pushed the Wildcats lead out to 11-4 with 10:53 to play in the third quarter, giving control over to the visitors.
Barton scored three of the next four goals, including the first two in the fourth quarter to make it a 12-7 game, but then Riley McQuaide and Gamache scored back-to-back goals late in the fourth to make it 14-7 with only 3:32 to play.
Alea Javorowsky led the Wildcats with seven points, scoring three goals while adding four assists. Ella Royer scored three goals and added three assists for six points, leading the Wildcats with seven draws as well. Amelie Gamache scored four goals and added an assist for five points while adding three ground balls. Anastasia Giannoulis and Makenzie Stritzinger each scored two goals and an assist while Stritzinger finished with a team high seven draws and two caused turnovers. Katie Vindigni made nine saves with six ground balls.
The Wildcats return north but remain on the road for one more game. They head to Lock Haven on Wednesday afternoon with a chance to match their best start to a season in program history. The opening draw is set for 3:00 p.m.