BABSON PARK, Fla. (February 23, 2022) - The Webber International University women's lacrosse team hosted the Gyrenes of Ave Maria University for its third Mid-South Conference game of the season on Wednesday afternoon. There were four lead changes throughout the game but the Warriors ultimately held off the Gyrenes to earn their first victory in program history, 15-12.

The Warriors (1-3 overall, 1-2 MSC) were slightly outshot by the Gyrenes (0-3, 0-1) 34-30. However, Webber forced its opposition into more turnovers and scooped up 19 ground balls compared to the 12 of Ave Maria.

Ave Maria would pick up the first two goals of the game, getting an early 2-0 lead just six minutes into the first quarter. The Warriors would score their first goal less than a minute later after a solo goal from freshman Samantha Esher. With just over seven minutes remaining in the quarter, Esher would turn provider, assisting a goal to Sydney Britton to level the game at 2-2. Four minutes into the second quarter, Webber would take its first lead of the game after a solo goal from Courtnie Couch. Another goal from Esher would extend the lead to two with just under 10 minutes until halftime. The Gyrenes would then score three-straight goals over a five minute span to retake the lead at 5-4. A goal from Couch would knot the game up before yet another goal from Esher would earn her the hat-trick and the Warriors the lead. The back-and-forth scoring would continue as Ave Maria would score to tie the game back at 6-6. Just 18 seconds later, a goal from Sydney Britton assisted by Victoria Orozco would regain the lead for the Warriors as they would head into halftime up 7-6.

The Warriors would start the second half strong after another goal from Britton followed by back-to-back goals from Kaitlyn Patterson, extending the lead to 10-6. The Gyrenes would then score five-straight goals over the final eight and a half minutes of the third quarter to shift the momentum in their favor, 11-10, heading into the final quarter. Three minutes into the fourth quarter, Esher would score her fourth goal of the game to followed by a goal from Natalie Baumgarten to retake the lead. Webber would then build upon that lead after two goals in two minutes from Patterson and then Couch, both assisted by Britton. Ave Maria would score one final goal to cut the deficit to two but a final goal from Patterson with just over a minute remaining would seal the game for the Warriors.

Four Warriors finished with hat-tricks as offensively, they were led by Esher with four goals and two assists for a total of six points followed by Patterson with four goals and one assist. Britton finished with three goals and two assists while Couch finished with three goals and led the team with four draw controls. Reyanna Troupe led the Warriors in both ground balls with seven and caused turnovers with four. Jordyn Davidson spent all 60 minutes in goal, making 14 saves along the way to help the Warriors to their first win of the season.

"I'm so proud of my team and this program," Head Coach Destinee Johnson spoke after the game. "We had a slow start but we pulled it together and made it happen. We stayed together as a team and left everything on the field. Getting better everyday is our motto and we will take this win and continue to grow."