HARRISONBURG, Va.. – The EMU Lacrosse team made its highly anticipated return to the EMU Turf Field on Monday, playing its first home game in 16 days with a non-conference affair against Randolph. There was plenty for the home fans to cheer about as the Royals got out to an 8-2 halftime lead on their way to a 14-3 victory over the WildCats. It marked the Royals' first home win of the 2024 campaign.
 
Courtney Crawford tied a career-high with five goals on the evening. Defensively, Cristal Narciso stopped four Randolph shots and allowed only three goals.


Records: EMU 3-9 | Randolph 2-4

Highlights

First Quarter
Shayleigh Sims got the scoring started for the Royals with a goal just 1:48 into the game, with an assist from Crawford. Crawford then tallied a goal of her own at the 11:30 mark to put EMU up 2-0. After Randolph earned their first goal of the contest, the Royals countered with a 3-0 run over the a span of 4:07, with back-to-back goals from Crawford and one more from Sims. The visiting WildCats tacked on one more goal with five seconds left in the quarter, cutting the Royals' lead to 5-2 after 15 minutes.

Second Quarter
The next 15 minutes were all Royals as they outscored the WildCats 3-0 in the second frame. Crawford buried her fourth goal of the game just 52 seconds into the quarter, followed by a score from Amber Bonds a little over seven minutes of game action later. Angel Hines then added a goal in a man-up situation with 1:40 until halftime to give EMU an 8-2 lead at the break.


Third Quarter
The Royals carried over their second quarter momentum to start the half, widening their lead with four more goals. Hines scored two more goals with EMU up one player. Crawford also tied a career-high with her fifth goal of the evening. Taylor Parker joined the scoring parade with her first goal of the season and the second of her college career, finding the back of the net with just 26 seconds left in the third quarter. The Royals entered the fourth quarter with a 12-2 advantage over the WildCats.

  
Fourth Quarter
The game wrapped up with a low-scoring fourth quarter, with EMU tacking on two more goals to Randolph's one in the period. At the 4:20 mark, Bonds got her second goal of the game and her 14th of the season. Lili Guerrero ended the game in style, getting the first goal of her college career with 1:11 left.

Statistical Leaders
Goals: Crawford (5)
Assists:  Bonds (2)
Ground Balls: Crawford (7)
Caused Turnovers: Bonds (3)
Draw Controls: Bonds (4)

What's Next
The EMU Lacrosse team will play its home finale and Rowdy Royals game against Averett this Saturday, April 20. The game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.  

To keep up to date with everything surrounding EMU lacrosse, follow EMU on Twitter and Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website. 
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