Mars Hill downs Catawba in SAC opener

SALISBURY, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's lacrosse team (4-2, 1-0 SAC) defeated Catawba (1-3, 0-1 SAC) in a thrilling South Atlantic Conference contest Saturday afternoon on the road.

The Lions scored the first six goals of the contest in a span of 13:39 with Alexa Tazzetta's two in the stretch leading the way.  Of the six goals, three were on the man advantage, including two free position tallies.  

The Indians responded with two goals of their own, both assisted by Gianna Pezzulo to cut the deficit down to four.  Mars Hill netted three straight, including two in a row by Sydney Joyce just 1:36 apart.  Christina Fabrizio recorded her second goal of the half to put the Lions up 9-2 with 6:23 left in the half.

Pezzulo picked up a goal and her third assist in the first, fixing in on all four Indians' goals of the half.

in a reverse of the first half, the Indians potted nine goals in the second half, closing to within one with 7:37 remaining in the contest.  On the way to the 12th marker of the game, Brooklyn Tilley recorded the hat trick while Katie Barth netted two.  Pezzulo picked up one goal and four assists in the scoring tangent.

The Lions, clinging to the one goal advantage with just over seven minutes remaining added an insurance tally off the stick of Tazzetta for her hat trick marker.  

Pezzulo led all players with 10 points (3g, 7a) followed by Tilley's five goals.  Joyce paced the Lions' offense with five goals followed by Maria Fabrizio's four points (2g, 2a).  Gini Joy made 10 saves for her fourth win of the season.

The Lions take to the road once again on Saturday, March 7, facing Palm Beach Atlantic in non-conference action.  First draw is scheduled for 7 p.m.