DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team welcomed Wittenberg to town on Friday, aiming to snap their three-game skid. The Battling Bishops did just that, tying their season-high scoring mark with 21 goals while holding the Tigers to just two goals in a commanding win. 

With the win, OWU improves to 7-4 overall and secures their first NCAC win of the season, moving to 1-2 in conference play. Wittenberg slides to 2-5 overall, remaining winless in NCAC play with an 0-3 mark.

It was all Ohio Wesleyan from the jump, as the Red and Black outscored Wittenberg 8-0 in the opening quarter, with seven different Bishops finding the back of the net. Brie Colangelo got the party started with a goal less than a minute into the contest. Moments later, Jules Kyle and Julia Kingsly added two more for the Bishops. From the 7:31 mark to the 5:02 mark, Sam Frary, Jackie Harper, Tiffany Trinh and Kyle all found the back of the net. With just over a minute remaining in the quarter, Riley Riordan capped off the explosive quarter with a goal of her own, making it 8-0 Ohio Wesleyan after one. 

Kyle continued to be too much for the Tigers in the second, notching her third goal to open the quarter. Wittenberg got on the board with 11:26 remaining before halftime, but Emma Reynolds responded with a strike less than a minute later to make it 10-1. The Bishops would end the half on a three-goal run, led by Lila Hall with two man-up goals, and a second conversion from Colangelo. Ohio Wesleyan led Wittenberg 13-1 at the intermission.

The offensive outburst continued in the second half. Frary found the back of the net once more to extend the lead. The Tigers continued to fight however, as Jarya Hassell struck at the 11:14 mark. That would be the last goal allowed by the Red and Black, as Harper and Reynolds added two more to the tally at the 9:57 and 5:37 mark. With 1:55 remaining in the third, Grace Gagne fired a strike that found the back of the net–the first of her career. 

Ohio Wesleyan continued to dominate in the fourth quarter. Jillian Andreas scored less than a minute into the final frame, followed by a third goal from Reynolds. Gagne was not done after her career-first, as she converted another with 8:03 remaining in the game. Reynolds scored the 21st goal for the Bishops with less than two minutes to play. The Red and Black picked up their first NCAC victory in commanding fashion, defeating Wittenberg 21-2. 

THE NUMBERS
Ohio Wesleyan held a 41-14 advantage in shots overall, and 30-9 in shots on goal. The Battling Bishops also directly caused 23 turnovers, picked up 29 ground balls, and went 22-for-25 on clears and 14-for-24 on draw controls.

Brie Colangelo led the Bishops with seven points on two goals and five assists. The seven points and five assists tie season-highs for Colangelo. 

Jules Kyle, Emma Reynolds, and Julia Kingsly all finished with four points. Reynolds found the back of the net four times. Kyle scored three times, recorded one assist and grabbed three draw controls. Kingsly had one goal and three assists while also grabbing five ground balls.

Sam Frary and Lila Hall finished with identical statlines–three points on two goals and one assist.

Grace Gagne had two goals – the first and second of her collegiate career – resulting in two points. 

Jackie Harper also finished with two goals for two points. 

Tiffany Trinh and Riley Riordan each finished with one goal and one assist for two points. 

Abbie Grogan dished out two assists for two points. Grogan also led the team with nine draw controls, five caused turnovers, and five ground balls. 

Jillian Andreas had one point courtesy of one goal. 

All three Bishop goalkeepers defended the cage. Morgan Leeper (W, 7-4) got the start, playing the first half and making four saves. Autumn Reed took over in the third and made two saves. Cadence Jobe played the final 15 minutes, making three saves. 

UP NEXT
The Bishops continue conference play on Wednesday as they travel to DePauw for a 7 p.m. showdown.