Spartanburg, S.C. – Furman set a new school record by scoring 23 goals, while five players registered a hat trick, on Wednesday evening as the Paladins topped the Wofford Terriers in Big South women's lacrosse action, 23-13, at Gibbs Stadium.
With the win, Furman improves to 9-7 overall and 6-2 in the Big South. The Paladins also clinch a spot in the Big South Women's Lacrosse Championship for the second consecutive season. Wofford drops to 6-10 on the year and 3-5 in conference play.
Two school records fell in the victory as Furman scored a new program record 23 goals, surpassing the old mark of 22 that was achieved twice including last Saturday against Gardner-Webb.
Meagan Beal also broke a five-year old school record for points in a game after tallying a game high 11 on six goals and career best five assists. The previous record was held by Abby Shields, who totaled 10 points against Stetson on April 21, 2018.
The Paladins limited the Terriers to just three goals in the third quarter after finishing the first half on an 8-3 run. Wofford had cut Furman's lead to 3-2 with just over five minutes left in the first quarter and later made the score 6-5 at the 12:38 mark of the second. The Paladins answered by scoring the final five goals of the first half.
Paige Harman gave Furman an 11-5 lead heading into intermission following her goal with 1:41 left in the second quarter.
The Terriers managed to get within seven to begin the second half as the Paladins held a double-digit advantage for most of the fourth quarter. Harman gave Furman its largest lead of the game, 21-10, with 6:16 to go in the final period. Beal set the school record when her goal with 1:30 remaining in the contest put the final score at 23-13.
Beal was one of five Paladins to register a hat trick on Wednesday. Four players each scored four goals in Harman,
Sophia Buzelis,
Sophie Shaw, and
Anna Roser. Shaw finished with six points while Buzelis, Harman, and Roser all posted five. For the second straight game,
Hannah Dintino won double-digit draws after collecting 10. Buzelis led Furman with four ground balls and
Katelyn Sousa caused two turnovers. In goal,
Lily Rathbun grabbed 10 saves.
Carlie Cutinella and Emma Gentile led Wofford offensively with two goals while Olivia Abe dished out two assists. Aislinn Washburn and Ella Smithers combined for eight saves in goal.
The Paladins concluded the contest holding a 13-7 advantage over the Terriers in ground balls and 20-19 in draws.
Furman wraps up the regular season on Saturday, April 29 when it travels to Clinton, S.C. for a 1 p.m. opening draw at Presbyterian.
