Mars Hill downs SWU in 2022 season opener

CENTRAL, S.C. - The Mars Hill women's lacrosse team (1-0) opened their 2022 season with a 16-10 victory over Southern Wesleyan (0-1) Saturday afternoon.

Haley Stallings opened the scoring less than four minutes into the first quarter, scoring her first career goal on her first shot.  A goal just over a minute later by Kiersten Foust put the Lions up by two.  Tabitha Beecher netted back-to-back goals less than 40 seconds apart midway through the quarter to tie the game, but with less than two minutes remaining, Sydney Joyce put the Lions back up with her first of the season.

Mars Hill held Southern Wesleyan scoreless in the second, outscoring the Warriors 7-0.  Alexa Tazzetta scored twice while Stallings, Foust, Joyce, Maria Fabrizio, and Tiffany Saavedra added goals, sending the Lions into the half up 10-2.

The Warriors responded with a strong third quarter, outscoring the Lions 6-3.  Beecher scored three times while Yael Echeverria netted two.  Foust, Joyce, and Tazzetta were the goal scorers for Mars Hill.

In the final 15 minutes of play, Fabrizio scored two man-up goals while Tazzetta, with 10 seconds remaining, scored her fifth on the day.

Tazzetta led all players with nine points (5g, 4a) followed by Fabrizio and Joyce's five (3g, 2a).  Beecher led the Warriors with five goals. Joyce led all players with seven groundballs followed by six apiece from Virginia Joy and Toni Morgon.  Joy made 13 saves for the win. 

The Lions return to action on Saturday, February 19 with their home opener versus Emmanuel.  First draw is set for 4 p.m.