PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. -- It was another game and another victory for the Kenyon College women's lacrosse team, who cruised to a 15-2 win over Marymount University (5-4) in their second Spring Fling game last night. Just two days after an impressive and closely-contested win over a nationally ranked team, the Owls made quick work of the Saints to push their unbeaten start to the season to six games.
Kenyon tied its second-largest margin of victory this season, 13, while also tying for a season-low in goals allowed, two. The Owls have been dominant in the second quarter of games throughout the season, and the second frame is where Kenyon took control against Marymount. The Saints started the scoring with the game's first goal at the 10:05 mark in the opening period, but it was all Kenyon from then on.Â
Two goals from Caroline O'Neil sandwiched a Lily Mason score to put the Owls up 3-1 through 15 minutes. Kenyon extended the run to 10-0 with seven in the second frame to essentially put the game away. Maddie Garner, Kate Lengel (2), Mallory Brophy, O'Neil, Spencer Kirsch, and Ali Hatfield got in on the action as Kenyon's offense clicked on all cylinders. The Owls outshot the Saints 12-3 in the period and put 11 of those shots on goal, and a 6-2 edge on draw controls helped Kenyon maintain possession until halftime.
Marymount managed to score the first goal of the half again after the break, but Kenyon did not concede another point the rest of the way. Tatumn Eccleston and Blythe Karras scored in the third quarter to push the margin to 12-2, while Mason, Lengel, and Kirsch tacked on three more in the fourth frame to finish off the 15-2 decision.
Lengel and O'Neil finished as the game's highest scorers with three goals apiece, and Lengel was a flawless 3-3 on shot attempts. Mason and Kirsch also posted multi-goal efforts with two apiece, while Ella Murphy recorded a game-high two assists.Â
Defensively, Eva Hitt was credited with three caused turnovers and five ground balls, both game-highs. Murphy, Maren Helmacy, and Mia Van Wie forced two turnovers each as Kenyon set a season-high with 15. The Owls also set a season-best with 37 ground balls, finishing with a 37-27 advantage.
Nola Garand earned her sixth victory in goal after securing four saves in the first half. Delaney Gallagher and Caroline James each added a save in their 15 minutes of action.
The next opportunity for the Owls to maintain their undefeated start to the season comes on Wednesday, March 22. Kenyon is scheduled to face Baldwin Wallace University (1-5) on the road in Berea, Ohio, at 7 p.m.
Â