CHARLESTON, WV. -- The Lewis University women's lacrosse team opened up their 2023 season on a high note as the Flyers were victorious against the University of Charleston 11-9 Friday (Feb. 24).

TEAM RECORDS
Lewis (1-0) | Charleston (0-2)

STAT LEADERS
Goals: Paige Bracey (Apex, NC/Apex) (3)
Assists: Emily Meredith (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) (2)
Ground Balls: Alyssa Davidson (Geneva, IL/Geneva) (8)
Shots: Davidson (5)
Saves: Kaitlyn Palmer (Springfield, MO/Glendale) (12)

QUARTER BREAKDOWN
FIRST QUARTER: Charleston 2, Lewis 1

• Charleston struck first to grab an early 1-0 lead with 12:30 in the first quarter.
• Only 12 seconds later, Daniella Wintenik (Port Coquitlam, British Columbua, Canada/Terry Fox) responded and tied the match up after recording a goal.
• The Golden Eagles got it right back and made it 2-1 after recording their second goal of the match.
• Both teams were scoreless the final 10 minutes of the first quarter with UC leading 2-1.

SECOND QUARTER: Lewis 6, Charleston 1

• Bracey tied the contest up at 2-2 after scoring in the first two minutes of the second quarter.
• Claire Knight (Corona, CA/Santiago) found Sydney Able (Aurora, CO/Regis Jesuit) a couple of minutes later to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead.
• Lewis grabbed a 4-2 advantage after Meredith found Davidson for the score with 10:40 to play.
• Bracey recorded her second goal of the match to make it 5-2 after Meredith found her for the goal.
• Charleston got one back shortly after to make it 5-3 in favor of Lewis.
• The Flyers responded with two straight goals to close out the first half, one from Carlie Serritella (Chicago, IL/Resurrection) and the other from Meredith to make it 7-3 at the break.

THIRD QUARTER: Lewis 2, Charleston 2

• Emma Stanek (Lakeville, MN/Lakeville North) wasted no time to start the second half as she made it 8-3 after receiving the pass from Able. 
• Charleston recorded a goal with five minutes left to make it 8-4 Lewis.
• Bracey picked up her hat trick with 1:58 left in the third to expand the lead out to 9-4.
• The Golden Eagles bounced back with a goal of their own right before the end of the quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER: Charleston 4, Lewis 2

• Charleston cut into the deficit with a goal in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, which made it 9-6 Lewis.
• Davidson recorded her second goal of the contest to stretch the lead out to 10-6.
• Heidi Sweeney (New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada/New Westminster) scored her first goal of the season with 11:19 left in the game to make it 11-6 Flyers.
• UC closed out the game with three unanswered goals to cut it down to 11-9 but the Flyers held off the late rally.

FINAL SCORE: Lewis 11, Charleston 9

UP NEXT
Lewis will have a quick turnaround as the Flyers travel to Frostburg State University to take on the Bobcats starting at 3 p.m. Saturday.