Brenau Backs Down From Hometown Team in AAC Opener

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

WALESKA, Ga. – Caroline Copenhaver and Morgan McGhee each had five goals as No. 5 Reinhardt breezed to victory in its first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contest of 2020 in a 21-1 blowout of Brenau (Ga.) Wednesday night under the lights of Ken White Field at University Stadium. 

The Eagles – who were tied for fifth-place in the newest NAIA Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Top 10 Poll that came out earlier Wednesday – improved to 3-0 on the young season (1-0 AAC) after outshooting the Golden Tigers, 43-2, including a 25-1 advantage in the first half where they built a 14-1 lead heading into halftime.

The rain then began to fall later in the contest as Reinhardt slowed the pace but kept complete control of the outcome with a 7-0 spread over the final 30 minutes.

"Once again, we had great performances from our younger players to mesh with the vets to give us a quality win over a very scrappy team," head coach Roy Reynolds said.

The offense was rolling early and often for the hometown team as it flew to an 8-0 lead in less than 15 minutes of play. Brenau, who caused some problems on draw control all night, found the back of the net with 15:14 remaining in the opening half to get on the scoreboard.

Reinhardt would respond with six-consecutive scores before intermission and end the conference tilt on a 13-0 stretch.

Individually, Sarah Inman (four assists) and Audrey Frost scored three times, while Alyssa Klinger netted a pair. Not to be outdone, Brook Villhauer and Adriana Talkington found the goal once as well.

The team also got an own-goal on a bad Golden Tiger pass that went into their own net.

McGhee tied for the team lead in dimes with four. Katie Williams dished out a trio of assists, and Frost helped two teammates score also.

Jessica Landers and Erin Benjamin split time at goalie in the win.

Scoring Summary
Goals: Caroline Copenhaver 5; Morgan McGhee 5; Sarah Inman 3; Audrey Frost 3; Alyssa Klinger 2; Brook Villhauer 1; Adriana Talkington 1; Team 1;
Assists: Inman 4; McGhee 4; Katie Williams 3; Audrey Frost 2;

A monumental matchup with No. 1 SCAD-Savannah (Ga.) is on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. in the Bees' toughest test to-date as new members of the AAC.

To view the full NAIA release on the Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Top 10 Poll, please click here.

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