Women's Lacrosse: Blackburne earns first career win as Bison defeat Red Hawks in season opener

PITTSBURGH – The Bethany College women's lacrosse team opened the 2023 season on the road against La Roche University Wednesday afternoon. The Bison cruised to a 15-6 victory giving first-year head coach Jordan Blackburne her first career win.  

THE BASICS

Final Score: Bethany 15, La Roche 6   

Records: Bethany (1-0, 0-0) La Roche (0-2, 0-0)          

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Bethany scored the first three goals in the first off of three different sticks. Alexa Taylor gave Bethany their first goal of the season while Abbie Carpenter and Cassiday Mailloux scored the next two goals. With under a minute to go, La Roche was able to get on the board after a free position shot.
• In the second, the Bison sticks continued to find the back of the net. Jada Carter scored her first career goal just 11 seconds into the period. Mailloux added another Bison goal, extending the lead to 5-1. La Roche scored two goals to cut the deficit but Bethany went on a four goal run. Mailloux scored three goals in the second to lead the Bison.
• La Roche started the second half with a goal but the Bison tacked on three in response. After three, the Bison held a dominant, 12-4 lead.
• In the final period of play, the Bison maintained the strong lead outscoring the Red Hawks, 3-2.

BISON TOP PERFORMERS

• Cassidy Mailloux led the Bison with five goals and one assist.
• Abbie Carpenter added four goals. She led the Bison with seven groundballs, six draw controls and four caused turnovers.
• Emily Wenger led the Bison with 6 caused turnovers. 
• Jada Carter had three goals and one assist. She had six draw controls.
• Joanna Melita led the Bison with three assists.
• Karley Trinidad added a goal and two assists, while Alexa Taylor added two goals and one assist.

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Bison outshot the Red Hawks, 43-14.
• La Roche held the free position shot advantage going 2-for-4 while Bethany went 1-for-4.
• La Roche went 11-17 on clear attempts while Bethany went 7-8.

UP NEXT

Bethany returns to the turf on Saturday, Feb. 25 when they host Eastern Mennonite at 2 pm on Don Ault Field at Bison Stadium.