Women's Lacrosse Comes Alive in 20-7 Decision to Start 2020

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

WALESKA, Ga. – The Gyrenes of Ave Maria (Fla.) got on the board in 36 seconds against No. 5 Reinhardt in the Eagles' season opener Sunday inside Ken White Field at University Stadium, but the lead didn't last long, as the hometown team responded with 13-straight goals to roll to a 20-7 victory.

Caroline Copenhaver paced all scorers with six netted shots on nine attempts, and five additional teammates scored two-or-more times in the blowout win.

"Today was a great, hard-fought and physical victory that was a great test for a first game," head coach Roy Reynolds said. "Both the offense and defense played well and made great adjustments to get the win."

Ave Maria seemed to surprise Reinhardt on the opening possession as the visitors took the early advantage, but it may have woken up the Eagles in the wrong way as well. Katie Yarish – who had a game-high seven assists – found Copenhaver uncovered after a defensive foul to tie the score, 1-1, just a minute into the action.

From there, Reinhardt would finish its 13-0 spree in a matter of 14 minutes of play by scoring in a variety of ways thanks to strong ball control and passing.

The Gyrenes would get back in the scoring column at 12:33, but three minutes later, Copenhaver pushed the non-conference battle back to a 12-point spread.

Ave Maria would head into the locker room with some momentum, however, as it finished the opening period on a 3-0 run; scoring four of the last five goals overall (14-5).

The Eagles would get the aforementioned scores back in the first six minutes of the second half to open up a 17-5 cushion before their opposition got back into the net at 17:55. The big lead would allow Reinhardt to continue to clear the bench and get numerous players a look on the field.

Three more netted shots in the next 11 minutes would follow for the Eagles as they moved in front by 14 tallies at 20-6 before Ave Maria made one more attempt with less than a minute to go.

As a squad, Reinhardt scooped up 23 ground balls and 20 draw controls, while forcing 10 turnovers but owning 11 miscues of its own.

Jessica Landers got win No. 1 in-goal after 60 minutes of action and five saves.

The team now has just under a week before it's back at home against NCAA Division II Shorter (Ga.) on Feb. 22.

First whistle is set for 2 p.m. 

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For more information on Reinhardt Women's Lacrosse, please click here.