LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph women's lacrosse team began its 2020 season at home against North Carolina Wesleyan on a cold Saturday night at WildCat Stadium. Sarah Perry (Rocky Mount, Va./Franklin County) led the 'Cats with 11 goals and Randolph was able to withstand a late Battling Bishops rally to win 19-16.
Perry's 11 goals sets a new Randolph game record. The previous record of seven was held by four players and last done by Taylor Klemenz twice in 2015. Perry's 11 points is also a new game record and breaks the previous record of 10 that was held by three players and last achieved by Klemenz in 2014.
Randolph led 3-0 just over four minutes into the first half. The two teams alternated scores with the WildCats leading 6-4 with under 15 minutes to play in the half. Perry talked back-to-back solo goals to up the 'Cat lead to 8-4 with 11:22 showing on the clock. N.C. Wesleyan got on a roll as they scored four straight times to knot the contest at 8-8 with 7:13 left. With the score tied at 9-9, Randolph rattled off three straight goals to lead 12-9 at the break.
The WildCats continued their run in the second half with another three goals to lead 15-9. Randolph went ahead 19-13 with 6:41 left and seemed poised to hold back the Battling Bishops. N.C. Wesleyan would not go down without a fight as they tallied three scores to close to 19-16 with 2:11 remaining in regulation. N.C. Wesleyan won the draw control and marched down the field. A shot by Maddie O'Neil was saved by Randolph keeper Chrissy Shacklford (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) and a second shot by O'Neil went wide. The WildCats held possession on their side of the field and ran out the clock to preserve the win.
Playing in her first collegiate game, Emily Laframboise (Cornwall, Vt./Middlebury) scored seven goals and assisted on one. Olivia Richards (Whispering Pines, N.C./Pinecrest) also scored her first collegiate goal and tallied two assists. Shannon McQuaid (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) had two assists.
Shackleford finished with nine saves. N.C. Wesleyan goalkeeper Izabella Espoile had eight saves.
The Battling Bishops were led by Ali Cucinotta's 11 goals. She dished out one assist.
Randolph travels to Winston-Salem, N.C. next Saturday to face Salem College. Game time will be at 3:00 p.m.
