HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point University women's lacrosse team capped a a special weekend with a 20-6 victory over Winthrop University on Senior Day Saturday. It was the fifth straight victory for HPU.
The Panthers honored three seniors —
Allie Connally,
Esprit Cha, and
Mandy Brockamp — with a senior banquet on Friday followed by a pre-game ceremony on Saturday before first draw. HPU welcomed back alumni and held its annual Mason 5k Run, which benefits the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, on Saturday morning as well.
SITE: Vert Stadium
SCORE: High Point 20, Winthrop 6
RECORDS: High Point (6-4, 2-0), Winthrop (3-7, 1-1)
Head Coach Lyndsey Boswell: "This is very special weekend for our program. We were able to celebrate Katie McLaughlin's 10-year reunion and have alumni back on campus to continue our commitment to support Friends of Jacyln. The most special part was senior weekend. We had a great time at the banquet on Friday, and it was really wonderful to see how many people wrapped their arms about the seniors throughout the weekend. There aren't enough words to say about the seniors and what they mean to our program from leadership to execution on the field to character of people. All three of them are so amazing. They will all be missed next year, but I'm really so excited for the amount of lacrosse we still have left to play, while we will be playing for a lot of things, the seniors are definitely atop of the list."
The Panthers really took control in the second quarter, using a 5-0 run to end the half and take a 13-4 lead into the break.
Shannon Smith scored her second straight first-quarter hat trick en route to a new career-high five goals, while
Reese Dowgiallo had her third straight game with four assists while adding a hat trick. Together, in two games — at Virginia Tech and versus Winthrop, the junior duo has combined for 17 goals and nine assists.
The senior trio of Connally, Cha and Brockamp all scored in the first half as Connally had two; meanwhile junior
Bella Germani netted a pair and a career-high three caused turnovers.
HPU followed suit in the second half as Connally scored less than three minutes in to start the running clock for her 23rd goal and a hat trick. Smith continued to add onto her career-high goal total, scoring a new career-best six goals and seven points to pace the Panthers all day. She has surpassed her previous season-best 27 goals, which were scored a year ago, as she has 29 goals through 10 games. Cha scored at the third-period buzzer to notch her ninth multi-score game.
For the second game over the past three, the defense shutout its opponent in the third period as
Ava Welsh led charge with 10 saves.
Julia Dustin had another multi-caused turnover outing while
Sydney Martin was active with four ground balls and a caused turnover.
In the fourth quarter,
Sarah Johnson netted her first goal this season while
Ella McKay scored her second.
Joy Coffey and
Sarah Romeo, who made her collegiate debut, split the fourth quarter in the cage.
Kierstin Hillis assisted McKay's score with her first dish and
Lily Trout scored a goal to add along with two draw controls.
The Panthers picked up 23 ground balls to the Eagles' 12.
Up Next: The Panthers head to Longwood to continue Big South play on Wednesday, April 2 at 4 p.m.
#GoHPU
