For Immediate Release – 2/27/16 - #219
Hughes scored Five Times in Opener, but WildCats fall

DOVER, DE – Leah Hughes began her junior season with a five-goal day, but it was not enough as the Randolph College women's lacrosse team dropped its season opener to Wesley College 15-11.

The WildCats started the season off very strongly, as Taylor Riccardi took home the first draw control of the season.  Hughes had two straight shots saved on that ensuing possession to keep momentum.  WC then had a shot but Anna Belliveau made her first stop as a 'Cat.  Riccardi followed that with a shot to the back of the net, taking the lead following the successful clear.

The Wolverines tied it shortly after in a man-up situation, but Riccardi came right back and took the lead back with her second goal of the season.  However, Wesley went on a quick burst and scored four straight to take the lead.  Hannah Bradley then fired in her first goal of her career to stop the run, but the Wolverines tallied two more times following to take a 7-3 lead.

However, Bradley came right back with her shot to the back of the cage.  Alyssa Umberger found the first year, earning her first point of the season.  Hughes then answered a WC tally to keep the deficit at three, but Wesley fired two shots in at the end of the half to take a 10-5 lead at the intermission.

Coming out of the break, the Wolverines used its momentum to score the first one of the half.  However, Hughes responded only 11 seconds after the ensuing draw control for her second of the afternoon.  Rodneisha Scott put the lead back to six for the hosts, but Randolph answered with a run of its own.

Teaghan Stanley started the 3-1 run off, as she scored the first goal of her career off a pass from Dana Cavallo, who also registered her first point on the play.  Wesley scored, but Hughes completed her hat trick shortly after.  She fired another shot into the back of the net within a minute after, cutting the score to 13-9 with 16 minutes left.

After several minutes of scoreless action due to solid play defensively on both sides, Stanley broke through.  She was fouled and earned a free position shot.  She used it to her advantage and scored the free position shot, bringing the deficit to three with six minutes left.

Unfortunately, the Wolverines tallied two more in a short span.  Hughes fired in her fifth of the day, but it was not enough, as Wesley won the game 15-11.

Belliveau made six saves in her Randolph debut.  Along with multiple goals by Hughes, Stanley, and Bradley, all three caused multiple turnovers.  Stanley forced three, while Hughes, Bradley, and Chelsea Marciniak caused two in the game.  Savannah Clough made 18 saves in the victory for the Wolverines (1-1 overall).  Scott tallied a hat trick and added an assist in the game.

Randolph (0-1) will start a long homestand on Tuesday night with its next game.  The WildCats host Southern Virginia University at 6 p.m.

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