NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Balanced attack and a fast start carried the Vanderbilt lacrosse team to a 15-10 win over Mercer on Wednesday at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex.
The win improves the Commodores to 3-2 overall, including a 3-0 mark at home this season.
Nine different Vanderbilt players scored goals highlighted by a hat trick from American Athletic Conference Attack Player of the Week Elizabeth Scarrone. Cassidy Orban, Maddie Souza, Lila Huddles and Mikela McCauley all posted two goals apiece in the victory while Gabby Fornia facilitated the offense with five assists.
“I thought it was a good team win especially after coming off a hard loss on Sunday,” Vanderbilt head coach Beth Hewitt said. “We just wanted to get back out and play our game. I think the girls did a really good job of coming together, playing super hard and being really positive. I thought they put a really good product on the field today.”
Vanderbilt scored the first seven goals and dominated the early part of the first half.
For the second game in a row, Scarrone tallied Vanderbilt’s first two goals. Souza also found the back of the net twice in the opening 15 minutes of play.
Maddie Souza gets her second goal of the day.
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⚓️ 71st » 14:38#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/raoOTcd8Zz
— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) March 3, 2021
Mercer’s first goal came with 10:23 left before halftime and after a Vanderbilt strike from McCauley, the Bears struck again in the waning seconds of the half. The Dores took an 8-2 edge into the break.
The second half featured more back-and-forth action. After Vanderbilt grew its lead up to double digits at 13-3 with 19:26 to go, Mercer kept within reach by putting up seven of the game’s final nine goals.
The Dores held a 17-11 edge on draw controls thanks in large part to 10 from Bri Gross. On the defensive end, Melissa Hawkins had a team-high five ground balls. Goalkeeper Paige Gunning made four saves and caused four turnovers to pick up her third win of the season.
Wednesday marked the beginning of a three-game homestand for the Commodores.
Next on the schedule is another home game versus High Point on Sunday. The game will be played at Vanderbilt Stadium.
