HIGH POINT, N.C. — Esprit Cha and
Jordan Miles scored four goals apiece, while
Shannon Smith recorded a hat trick in a gusty season-opening performance from the High Point University women's lacrosse team that resulted in favor of 24th-ranked Duke University, 22-14.
SITE: Vert Stadium
SCORE: High Point 14, #24 Duke 22
RECORDS: High Point (0-1), Duke (1-1)
Head Coach Lyndsey Boswell: "We had a slow start today, but overall, I'm proud of the team's grit and determination. Jordan was a huge help on the draw circle when we needed to make an adjustment. We had five to six new players on the field at any point today and it was really great to see them communicate and come together to find solutions. Our leadership continues to be strong and I'm really proud of the girls for fighting for 60 minutes. We learned a lot and will take that into our preparation for next weekend."
After heading into halftime down 15-6, the Panthers were able to find some rhythm at the end of the third quarter as they used a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to seven. Miles was responsible for three straight goals — as she ended the third and started the fourth with scores — to match her career high in goals.
The junior attacker was a game-changer for the Panthers, using those four goals — plus a career-high five draw controls while causing a turnover — to quiet the Blue Devils for a stretch.
Cha started the third-quarter run with her third goal en route to a career-high, four-goal day; meanwhile,
Mandy Brockamp capped it with her first goal of the season. Smith had a career outing as she netted a career-high three goals and recorded two assists for a career-best five points.
Senior
Kay Rosselli packed the stat sheet with two goals, an assist, three ground balls and caused turnovers as well as five draw controls. In her first game as a Panther,
Aryss Lindsey had a team-high four ground balls and four caused turnovers. Sophomore
Reese Dowgiallo also scored her first goal of the season, while
Gracie Vickery scooped her first collegiate draw control.
Sydney Martin, a sophomore defender, picked up a draw control and forced two caused turnovers, while senior
Pia Cavallaro had three assists, a ground ball and two draw controls.
Redshirt freshman
Joy Coffey earned the start in the cage as she played the first half and secured five saves; meanwhile, freshman
Ava Welsh recorded 30 minutes in the second half with three saves.
Up Next: The Panthers welcome former Big South rival Campbell University for a Saturday showdown on Feb. 17 at Vert Stadium, beginning at 1 p.m.
#GoHPU
