RADFORD, Va. -- Nine second-half goals, highlighted by a trio of hat tricks and a pair of four-goal performances from
Margaret Gleason and
Mady Cheney, helped lift the Radford University women's lacrosse team over Delaware State on Thursday afternoon. After being down one at the break, the Highlanders outscored the Hornets by six in the second half to earn a 16-11 victory.
Radford scored the first two goals of the contest within the opening 72 seconds to gain an early advantage. Cheney and
Erica Lawrence both scored before Delaware State responded with two consecutive goals to tie the game.
Following the Hornets' response,
Margaret Gleason scored a pair of unassisted goals and Cheney scored her second goal of the day to put the Highlanders up 5-3.
Ashlyn Grogan then added her name to the score sheet before Cheney completed her first-half hat trick on a free position shot with just under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter. Delaware State responded strongly, tallying the final four goals of the half and taking a one-goal lead into the intermission.
Head coach
Samantha Hurley's halftime talk must have made an impression on her squad because five of the six goals scored in the third quarter went the way of the home team.
Reece Morrish opened the second-half scoring and quickly leveled things for the third time in the contest. Gleason then sealed her hat trick thanks to a feed from Lawrence to put Radford up 10-9 and give the Highlanders a lead that they never surrendered.
Evie Gee capped off an impressive third frame for the Highlanders by recording the first goal of her collegiate career.
Radford continued to pull away in the final period as four different Highlanders found the back of the net.
Ashlyn Grogan scored her third goal with a little under 11 minutes remaining in the game, cementing the third hat trick of the afternoon for the ladies in red and white. The lead grew to as many as five goals and ultimately stayed on that number as Morrish scored her second goal with just ten seconds left.
The day was surely highlighted by three different players netting hat tricks. Gleason and Cheney both scored four goals apiece, giving Gleason a team-high 17 goals on the season and Cheney her first collegiate hat trick. Grogan's five points (three goals and two assists) gave the junior her second hat trick of the campaign as she now sits with a team-high 20 points this season. Lawrence and Morrish both added two goals each while Gee contributed with her first goal as a Highlander.
Olivia Hunter remained between the sticks as she has all season and registered seven saves in the contest.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders have a quick turnaround and will return to action on Saturday at noon. Radford welcomes Akron to the SORC in hopes of their third home win in as many games. The first 50 fans to the stadium will receive a free koozie.
FOLLOW RADFORD WOMEN'S LACROSSE
To follow the Radford women's lacrosse team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordWLAX on Twitter, @radfordwlax on Instagram and Radford Women's Lacrosse on Facebook.
