Eagles Scorch Bees for Second Time en Route to Another League Banner

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. – Women's lacrosse was in peak form on Saturday in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship Final against SCAD-Savannah (Ga.) after the Eagles were no match for the Bees once again in a 20-7 outcome.

The victory for Reinhardt (11-1) helped the squad claim back-to-back regular-season and postseason AAC banners, in addition to earning the league's automatic bid to the NAIA Women's Lacrosse National Championship in the process as well.

"We put together the best game of the season to take the championship," head coach Roy Reynolds said. "With a hardworking defense and an explosive offense, coupled with a great draw game – plus a solid in-cage performance from Jessie Landers – allowed us to defeat the defending national champions.

"Brook Villhauer along with Player of the Year, Morgan McGhee, and Shelby O'Neil controlled the draw game well enough for us to take possession… I'm very proud of my team."

SCAD was able to get on the board first, 1-0, but the Eagles responded in a big way with five-consecutive scores (and 11 of the next 12 tallies) with an 11-2 advantage with just over six minutes left in the first half.

The Bees, however, headed to the locker room on a three-goal scoring spree to cut their deficit to 11-5 halfway through the contest.

Reinhardt regrouped at the intermission and broke the momentum, not letting SCAD-Savannah any closer the rest of the way after opening the second period with four goals in-a-row for a 15-5 lead. The Bees would add a tally to get back within single digits, but watched as their hole got even bigger following five more netted shots out of six for the AAC's top team.

Caroline Copenhaver paced the offense with six goals in seven chances. Anna-Marie Gazzo added four netted shots and two assists, while both Shelby O'Neil (12 draw controls) and Brook Villhauer (Player of the Tournament) earned three scores apiece.

Jessie Landers got another victory over SCAD-Savannah with five saves. The Bees were forced into 18 turnovers in defeat, and three Reinhardt players scooped up four ground balls.

All-Tournament Women's Lacrosse Team:
Brook Villhauer - RU (Player of the Tournament)
Morgan McGhee - RU
Shelby O'Neil - RU
Anna-Marie Gazzo - RU
Tracy Richards - SCAD
Clarke Haas - SCAD
Katie Rowell - SCAD
Aubrey Curell - AU
Ashley Byrd - AU
Skii Bollinger - SAU
Kennedy Martin - SAU

Stay tuned as the team now awaits its seed in the National Championship. 

For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram. 

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