Box Score Delhi, Ohio – The Mount St. Joseph University women's lacrosse team welcomed the Saints of Thomas More University to Schueler Field for the Lions 2020 season opener. After having their first two games of the season cancelled, the Lions looked to come out strong and show out in front of a home crowd. A strong performance all around the field led the Lions to a 14-5 victory against the Saints, who came in with a 0-2 overall record.
The Lions got off to a quick start, scoring the first goal of the game in just three and a half minutes. Freshman Devyn Harvey (Beavercreek, Ohio/Carroll) recorded the goal, earning her first collegiate goal, and her first of the day, off an assist from Megan Dancer (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro). The Lions only senior, Brianna Brannon (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton), scored a goal of her own just two minutes later after picking up a ground ball. The Saints were taking their opportunities early on in the game, but a strong defense and a strong showing from Lions freshman goalkeeper Kimberly Holland (Huntington, WV/Spring Valley) kept the Saints scoreless. With 23:26 on the clock, the ball kept finding the net for the Lions, with Megan Dancer getting her name on the scoreboard with a free position shot.
After a timeout the Saints were able to reorganize themselves and get their first goal of the game, making the score 3-1 in favor of the Lions with 22:59 on the clock. Just 11 seconds later, the Lions would earn themselves back to back goals in the span of eight seconds. Freshman Sarah Murray (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursualine Academy) earned the first goal, and first collegiate goal, with Brianna Brannon Immediately following off an assist from Devyn Harvey. The Lions led the Saints 5-1, with over 20 minutes remaining in the first half. At 18:57 the Saints recorded their second goal off a free position shot. Brianna Brannon would get her third goal of the game from a free position spot at 15:27, earning herself a hattrick for the day.
Over the span of 10 seconds starting at 11:50, the Lions would get another pair of back to back goals, this time coming from Devyn Harvey and Brianna Brannon respectively. About 30 seconds later, the scoring continued to come in favor of the Lions with Sarah Murray adding to her scoring total with a free position shot. At this point with 11:24 left on the clock in the first half, the Lions led the Saints 9-2. Time would go by with both teams continuing to take shots, but were unable to find the back of the net. Lions goalkeeper Kimberly Holland continued to make tremendous saves for the Lions to keep them ahead. The Saints would break the scoreless streak though with 6:09 left in the first half. With the final minutes approaching, both teams kept the pressure coming. Sophomore Riley Gintert (Morrow, Ohio/Little Miami) recorded her first goal of the season as well as her first collegiate goal at the 4:14 mark to give the Lions a 10-3 lead. Gintert's goal would be the final goal of the half as the Lions led the Saints 10-3 at halftime.
As the second half began, things weren't off to as quick of an start with goals, both teams were taking their chances. The Saints recorded the first goal of the half with a shot hitting the back of the net at the 21:53 mark. At the 19:00 minute mark, Brianna Brannon continued to build the Lions score up, scoring off another free position shot. At this point the Lions led the Saints 11-4. Sometime would pass before Devyn Harvey recorded her third goal of the game, earning herself a hat trick. It wouldn't take long before Sarah Murray joined the hat trick club for the Lions during the game as she recorded a goal with 13:57 remaining in the game.
Several minutes passed before the Saints would add one more goal to their total for the day at 4:27 remaining in the game. The final goal of the game would come two minutes later with Ashley Costa (Milford, Ohio/Milford) scoring her first goal of the day, and totaling the Lions goals to 14. The final whistle would blow a couple minutes later, signaling the first Lions victory of the season as they defeated the Saints of Thomas More University 14-5.
It was a great day for the women's lacrosse team, opening their season with a victory. Six Lions joined in on the scoring for the day, with senior Brianna Brannon leading the way with five goals. Freshman Sarah Murray and Devyn Harvey both recorded their first collegiate goals as well as hat tricks for the day. While sophomore Riley Gintert recorded her first career goal. Lions goalkeeper Kimberly Holland had a spectacular performance in her first collegiate game, recording 18 saves for the day.
The Lions look to be back in action on Friday, March 13th, as they travel to Alma, Michigan to take on the Scots of Alma College. The game is set to begin at 5PM. Continue to check out MSJSports.com as the Lions 2020 season is just beginning.
