RADFORD, Va. – Radford women's lacrosse defeated Winthrop as hat tricks from Kaitlyn Lytton and Molly O'Brien pushed the Highlanders to the 11-8 victory Saturday afternoon.

With less than 30 seconds into the game, Lytton would score the opening goal to give the Highlanders the early lead. Immediately following the score, Mady Cheney won the draw control and allowing Ashlyn Grogan to feed the ball to Margaret Gleason to score next, giving Radford a 2-0 edge. The Highlanders did not slow down as they went on a 5-0 run with efforts from O'Brien (2) and McKenzie Hines, shutting out the Eagles in the first quarter.
 
The second quarter started with a revenge plot from Winthrop as they were able to notch a goal and put themselves on the board. However, that did not slow the Highlanders down as Gleason took advantage of their man-up opportunity to further their lead. The Eagles caught the scoring bug and found themselves putting in three more goals to end the half at 6-4, in favor of Radford.
 
Radford was not ready to give up their lead coming out of halftime. With the help of Hines, Lytton put up her second goal of the game to put the Highlanders up by three. The next seven minutes brought a back-and-forth battle between defenses. The Highlanders served as brick walls forcing Winthrop to run out the shot clock. O'Brien was able to break the scoring drought as she went face-to-face with the goal during her free position shot to earn her first collegiate hat trick. Winthrop was last to score during the quarter setting the game at 8-5.
 
Once again, Winthrop started the quarter strong earning two goals making it a one-point game. However, a keen caused turnover and ground ball pickup by Lauren Davis gave Radford the opening they were looking for. Lytton fed the ball to Cheney allowing her the opportunity for Radford to pull ahead again. The fight continued when Winthrop responded, but Linley Tirrell fought back and scored her first of the game. Despite being a man down, Josie Helpard was able to knock the ball out of an opponent's stick, allowing River Rupert to scoop up the ball for a successful clear. This led to Lytton's first hat trick of her career and solidified with the 11-8 win for the Highlanders.

KEY STATS

• Olivia Hunter caught seven shots between the pipes. Ava LaManna caught two when she stepped in during the fourth quarter.
• River Rupert held the most caused turnovers (4) and ground balls (3) for the team.
• The Highlanders went a perfect 15 for 15 on clears.
• Radford caused 15 turnovers with strong defensive performances from Josie Helpard (3), Taylor Rogahn (2) and Emily Strother (2).

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Highlanders celebrate senior day on Saturday, April 6th. Game time is set for 1 pm against Wofford.

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