WILLIAMSBURG — The William & Mary lacrosse team utilized a dominant performance in the fourth quarter to earn an impressive 19-12 victory against East Carolina at Martin Family Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Although the contest was knotted at 11-11 late in the third quarter, W&M (3-3) closed the game by scoring eight of the final nine goals to earn the lopsided non-conference victory.
Kate Draddy and Ainsley Huizenga both recorded a pair of goals during the pivotal late-game run, while Paige Gilbert also found the back of the cage during the stretch with one of her career-high six goals.
W&M took control of the matchup early and built three-goal advantages multiple times, leading 4-1 in the first quarter and 7-4 midway through the second. ECU (3-3) chipped away at the lead, however, and tied the game multiples times but the Tribe never trailed.
Nine players contributed to W&M’s season-high 19 goals, while five standouts recorded multi-goal efforts.
Tribe Standouts
Gilbert’s career-high six goals, coming on just seven shots, led the Tribe offensively, as the total ranks tied for the 11th-best single-game performance in program history. She also added three draw controls.
In addition to her two goals during the late-game surge, Draddy also recorded a career-high 10 draw controls, which ranks tied for third in school history.
Huizenga (3g, 2a), Olivia Gladstein (1g, 3a) and Lauren Rothstein (2g, 1a) also posted career highs in points, while Maresa Moyer found the back of the cage with both her shot attempts.
Making her first career start, goalie Marin Wilhelm played all 60 minutes and registered 10 saves. Additionally, she allowed just one goal during the fourth quarter.
Inside the Numbers
ECU outshot W&M, 36-28, but the Tribe finished with an impressive .678 shotting percentage and held a 23-22 edge in attempts on goal.
W&M also owned a 19-15 advantage in draw controls, while ECU held an 18-14 edge in ground balls and committed six fewer turnovers (9-15).
The Opposition
Kayla Wilkes tallied team highs in goals (3) and draw controls (5), while Erin Gulden (1g, 3a) and Emily Stratton (2g, 1a) also provided offensive production.
Courtney Frank led the Pirates defensively with three caused turnovers and three ground balls.
Notes
The all-time series is now tied at 1-1 … At least six different W&M players have scored in every game this season.
Up Next
W&M will return to action when it hosts No. 9 Maryland at Martin Family Stadium on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
