Boiling Springs, N.C. – Sophia Buzelis tied her career high with five goals Saturday, leading four Paladins with hat tricks, to help the Furman women's lacrosse team to a 21-9 Big South Conference win over the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at Spangler Stadium.
Furman remains undefeated in the Big South, improving to 4-7 overall and 2-0 in conference play. With the loss, Gardner-Webb drops to 0-11 on the season and 0-2 against Big South opponents.
Buzelis netted her first hat trick of the year in the first quarter as the Paladins closed out the opening period with four consecutive goals to lead 7-3. Furman continued its run into the second quarter, scoring three straight times to extend its advantage to 10-3 just over five minutes into the period.
The Runnin' Bulldogs answered with a 3-0 run over the next four minutes to cut Furman's lead to 10-6 with 5:40 remaining before intermission. Buzelis ended the run with her fourth goal to put the Paladins ahead, 11-6, at halftime.
Furman outscored Gardner-Webb, 10-3, in the second half to secure the 12-goal victory.
Anna Roser scored three of her four goals over the final 30 minutes as the Paladins used a 6-1 run over the course of nearly 10 minutes to take an 18-8 lead with 11:25 to go in the contest capped by Roser's final goal of the afternoon.
After Rebecca Ferrina ended the Runnin' Bulldogs' scoreless streak of nine minutes at the 8:06 mark of the fourth quarter, Furman ended the game on a 3-0 run with goals from
Paige Harman and
Molly Faul. Harman's second goal of the afternoon with 12 seconds left in regulation put the final score at 21-9.
The 21 goals mark a season high total for the Paladins and the most since a 23-13 victory last season at Wofford.
Buzelis' five goals led all players while Roser and
Hannah Dintino both finished with four.
Sophie Shaw totaled three goals. Harman matched her career high of four assists and won a career best 10 draws. Buzelis, Roser, and
Sailor Henderson all grabbed three ground balls. Roser led the team with two caused turnovers. In goal, Henderson and
Lily Rathbun combined for four saves.
Aimie Perino and Jamie Weber both scored a team high three goals for Gardner-Webb, while Victoria Fischetti dished out two assists. In goal, Lauren Cretella and Emma Anderson combined for 19 saves.
Furman concluded the contest with 27 draws, representing the second-most in a game in program history, and held an 18-9 advantage in ground balls.
Furman travels to Clinton, S.C. next Saturday, April 6 for a 12 p.m. opening draw against Presbyterian. Fans can follow the action on www.furmanpaladins.com via live stats. The game is being streamed via paid subscription on ESPN+. Updates will also be posted on the Furman women's lacrosse Twitter page (@FUWlax).
