Orange, Calif.- The No. 18 Denison women's lacrosse team used a third-quarter surge to pull away and defeat Chapman University 16-6 to open its Spring Break campaign. The Big Red improved to 4-2 for the season, while the Panthers dropped to 1-4.

A slow start for Denison led to a tighter-than-expected halftime score of 5-3 over Chapman. Despite dominating in draw controls and outshooting their opponents 18 to 12, the Big Red struggled to find their groove in the first half. Fortunately for Denison, halftime seemed to reset their internal cadence, which led to a stunning 10-0 third quarter, where seven different members of the team scored, putting the Big Red up 15-3 with just one quarter left to play.

In the fourth quarter, Chapman picked up their defense, forcing six turnovers and giving up just one of the three clear attempts made by Denison. Though their defense held the Big Red to just one more goal late in the fourth quarter, the deficit the Panthers found themselves in was too much to make up, resulting in a 16-6 victory for Denison.

Denison outshot their opponents 34 to 19 and held a 17 to 8 edge in draw controls. Though the Big Red were awarded 15 free position shots, just seven shots resulted in a goal. Pacing Denison's scoring was Mary Martinson, who finished the night with four goals and three draw controls. Maddie Chase and Anna DeVuono tacked on three more goals apiece, followed by Bridget Sheehy with two goals. Addie Clift, Madison Goldstein, Hana Asghari, and Grayson O'Marra each put in a goal. 

On the defensive end, Chase, O'Marra, and Sheehy each caused two turnovers, and O'Marra led the team in ground balls and draw control, securing four. Three members of the Big Red found their way in goal. Julianne Henigan started the night and had four saves, followed by Cate Dannahey and Kaylyn Kirrane, who recorded a save and her first win of the season.

Up Next:
Denison remains in California to take on the University of Redlands tomorrow, Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. PST/10 p.m. EST.