Mercer Cruises To 25-7 Win At Kennesaw State

Wednesday, February 28

Kennesaw, Ga.

4 p.m.

Mercer University

2-1

Kennesaw State

4-2

Mercer

Kennesaw State

2/28/2024 7:32:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Mercer's 25 goals are second most in program history

KENNESAW, Ga. - After a brief weather delay which delayed the start of the game, the Mercer women's lacrosse team came out firing on all cylinders as the Bears rolled to a 25-7 win over Kennesaw State on Wednesday evening in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Mercer's 25 goals were the second most goals scored in a game in program history. The most goals in a game is 26 against Delaware State in 2017.

Mercer's defense proved it wouldn't be outdone by its offense as Kennesaw State entered the game with the number one scoring offense in the country with a goals per game average of 20.0. The Bears' defense did a great job of limiting the Owls to few quality chances.

Mercer forced Kennesaw State into 16 turnovers on the day. The Owls had just 13 shots including nine on goal, well below their season average of 36.6 shots per game. Mercer was also dominant in the draw circle winning 21 draws to Kennesaw State's 12. Kayla Soltys led the Bears with 11 draw controls.

Gabby DiVirgilio had statistically the best game of her career as she led the Bears with six goals and three assists for a 9-point game. DiVirgilio was one of four Bears to score at least three goals in the game.

Caroline Glus had a career high four goals. Maddi Koury had a 5-point game with three goals and two assists. Sophomore Abby Vane not only scored the first goal of her career but had a hat trick as well.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening 10 minutes of the game was competitive with both teams going back and forth on the scoresheet. Gabby Brisbin's first goal of the season put Mercer up 4-3 with just under six minutes to play in the first quarter. The Bears would add two more including a free position goal from freshman Ansley Walters to take at 6-3 lead after the first quarter.

The Bears took control of the game in the second quarter. Back-to-back goals from DiVirgilio made it 9-3 Mercer within the opening minutes of the second quarter. A few minutes later a free position goal from Glus made it 12-4 Mercer. The Bears closed the half scoring eight unanswered goals and outscored Kennesaw State 11-1 in the second quarter to take a 17-4 lead into halftime.

Mercer didn't let up in the second half as the Bears scored the first four goals of the third quarter. Vane's first goal of her career extended Mercer's lead to 21-4.

In the fourth quarter, Maya Maldonado scored her second goal of the game and that was followed by Krissy Rael scoring her first goal of the season as Mercer cruised to a 25-7 win on the road.

NOTABLES

Mercer 25 goals were the second most goals scored in a game in program history (26 vs Delaware State in 2017)
Kennesaw State entered the game with the number one scoring offense in the country at 20.0 goals per game. Their fewest goals scored in a game entering Wednesday was 15
Mercer outshot Kennesaw State 40-13
The Bears went 5-for-7 on free position shots
11 different Mercer players had at least one point in the game

FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Lacrosse, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWLAX (Twitter) and @Mercerwlax (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.