Box Score SWEET BRIAR, Va. – The Royals lacrosse team wrapped up their 2023 season on Tuesday, taking on Sweet Briar in a road matchup.
EMU scored early and often in the first half, including six goals from Grace Hughes in the first 30 minutes, en route to a 20-4 win over the Vixens.
Records: EMU 3-10 | Sweet Briar 1-8, 0-3 CSAC
Highlights
- It was the Vixens getting on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead after an EMU shot by Taylor Parker hit the post in the opening minutes. But after Courtney Crawford won the following draw control, she took the ball into the SB zone and put a shot past the Vixens keeper for her 15th goal of the season to tie things at one.
- Less than 30 seconds later, Zyeasha Ba found Autumn Hornbeck in front of the net, who put it past the keeper for a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later, after a Cristal Narciso save and an EMU clear, Hughes notched her first goal with an assist from Alex Palizzi, for a 3-1 lead. Hughes added three more goals and Palizzi one as the Royals took a 7-2 lead after one.
- Palizzi tallied her 23rd goal of the season just 20 seconds into the second quarter, putting the Royals on top 8-2. After a Hornbeck shot was saved, Aaliyah Lawhorne got in on the scoring action, beating the keeper for her seventh of the year. She added another one at the 13:15 mark while Hughes scored again, this time on an assist from Crawford, for an 11-2 advantage. Hughes' sixth goal of the first half came with 8:21 left and pushed EMU's lead to double digits. The Royals defense clamped down, allowing just four shots in the second quarter and only one goals, as EMU took a 13-3 lead into the break.
- Lawhorne picked up a hat trick less than a minute into the third quarter, pushing the EMU lead to 14-3. Cindy Argueta-Rivas and Shayleigh Sims added goals, with an assist from Crawford, while the Royals defense held Sweet Briar scoreless in the third, taking a 16-3 led after three.
- The final quarter saw four different Royals score, including two goals from Hughes, pushing her total to eight and setting the single season record for most goals in a game. Along with her assist, Ba picked up her first goal of the season and gave EMU goals from eight different players.
Statistical Leaders
Hughes: 8 G, 1 A, 1 GB
Crawford: 3 G, 3 A, 10 DC, 3 CT
Narciso: 10 saves, 1 GB
Team: 32 shots on goal (tied for most all-time), 4 goals allowed (all-time low)
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