HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Barton women's lacrosse team (1-0) prevailed in its 2023 season opener by a 17-10 score over Coker (0-1) Saturday afternoon at the Cobras Athletic Field.
Barton sophomore attacker
Kate Matuza (Hampstead, N.C.) led all scorers with five goals while a trio of players – sophomore attackers
Samantha Serio (Long Island, N.Y.) and
Avery Woodcock (Wilmington, N.C.) and sophomore
Annabelle Chuilli (Cornelius, N.C.) – all scored twice as the Bulldogs broke the contest open in the third stanza to take the win.
Holding a 6-5 advantage at intermission, the Bulldogs scored the first five goals of the third period to take control of the contest. Serio was credited with the match-winner while Barton held the edge in both shots taken (32-31) and ground balls (13-6).
Coker was led by Hailey Morgan (Corsicana, Texas) and Abby Gross (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) with three goals each in the setback. In goal, Barton freshman goalkeeper
Avery Gandolf (Medina, Ohio) earned the win after making 14 saves while Coker's Abby Kellner (Marietta, Ga.) stopped 11 shots but was tagged with the loss.
Barton hosts No. 25 Saint Leo in its home opener on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., at Truist Stadium while Coker travels to Franklin Springs, Ga., to take on Emmanuel next Saturday, February 11, beginning at Noon.
