Score: Elmira College 16, Wells College 5
Records: Elmira (2-6), Wells (1-5)
Location: Wells Turf Field -- Aurora, New York
 
AURORA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's lacrosse team won its second consecutive game by besting non-conference foe Wells College by a convincing 16-5 final score on Wednesday evening in Aurora, New York.

EC started the contest off lightning quick, netting two goals in under a minute of action. Hayley Baker '19 started off the scoring run with an unassisted tally just 19 seconds into the contest. Kyra McDonald '18 continued the Soaring Eagles' impressive start with a tally just 25 seconds later that was assisted by Kylie Connell '17.

The Express answered with a score of their own from Julia Smith at the 27:42 mark of the opening half to draw Elmira's advantage back to 2-1.

EC responded from that tally with three unanswered to expand its lead to 5-1. McDonald kicked off the run with her second score of the day at the 24:28 mark. The McDonald goal was quickly followed by strikes from Sarah Hughson '18 and Baker in a 37-second span.

Following a Wells tally by Mackenzie Maloney that cut its deficit to three points 5-2, the Purple and Gold regained their four-goal advantage, 6-2, following a Baker free-position strike. One more Express score before the end of the half put the halftime score at 6-3 in favor of the Soaring Eagles.

At the start of the second half, Elmira again pounced on Wells with three unanswered tallies to storm ahead, 9-3. McDonald started the run with a woman-up goal just 1:20 into the half, her third score of the day. Baker scored the second goal of the run with a woman-up strike of her own. Right on cue, McDonald answered with her fourth goal of the day to end the streak.

The Soaring Eagles started to pour it on in the second half, as following a Wells tally at the 12:23 mark, the Purple and Gold added seven unanswered goals to make it a 16-4 game. Rachael Goetz '20 began the run with a woman-up tally at the 11:24 mark of the half. Goetz's goal was quickly followed by scores from Hughson, Baker, McDonald, Louisa Lippiatt Durnell '18 and Kelsey Quail '17.

The Express scored one run more before the end of the contest, but the damage had already been done, as Elmira walked away with the 16-5 non-conference victory.
 
Turning Point
The Soaring Eagles' main strength in today's contest was their ability to win draw controls. EC finished the contest with a 17-to-5 advantage in draws. This lead in draws allowed Elmira to keep possession of the ball and to set up its offense. This ability to keep possession helped guide the Purple and Gold to a massive 40-to-18 lead in shots.

Inside the Box Score

• Elmira finished with a 40-to-18 advantage in shots.
• EC edged the Express in draw controls, 17-to-5.
• The Soaring Eagles scored on 3-of-11 free-position chances, while Wells converted 2-of-4.
• The two teams each recorded 18 turnovers.
• McDonald led all scorers with six goals.
• Baker paced the team with a game-high seven points (5g, 2a).
• Hughson (2g) and Lippiatt Durnell (1g, 1a) posted multi-point efforts for the Soaring Eagles.
• Quail and Goetz also scored goals for EC
• Connell and Grampp each tallied assist in the contest.
• Hughson finished with a game-high seven ground balls and three caused turnovers.
• Wargo made 10 saves en route to the win in goal for Elmira.
• Maloney finished with four of Wells' five goals.

 
News and Notes

• EC improves to 2-6 on the season.
• The Soaring Eagles are 7-0 all-time against the Express.
• Elmira posted season high in goals scored (16).
• McDonald's six goals and six points are both career highs.
• The last Soaring Eagle to score six goals in a game was Moorea Spoljaric '16; she did so on April 28, 2016, in an 18-5 win over Hilbert College.
• Baker's five goals and seven points are both career highs.
• Hughson set a new career high with seven ground balls.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return to action on Saturday, April 8, with a road tilt against Empire 8 Conference foe Hartwick College. The bout is slated for a 1:00 p.m. start.