CHARLESTON, W.Va.—The University of Charleston women's lacrosse team picked up their first win of the season on Wednesday afternoon, after six goals from attacker Samantha Youngman led them to a second half surge, defeating the Battlers from Alderson Broaddus University 15-5.

THE BASICS
SCORE – Charleston 15, ABU 5
LOCATION – Institute, WV
RECORDS - Charleston (1-1), Battlers (0-4)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half of play was close between the two sides, as they both fought to grab their first win of the year. The Golden Eagles, however, started the scoring, as UC's standout attacker Samantha Youngman slung in a shot to make the score 1-0 with 25:15 left to play. Less than three minutes later, fellow standout attacker Emma Renda used a free-position shot to her advantage, finishing a goal, and putting UC up 2-0. Senior Brianna Rock followed suit, adding another goal for Charleston off of a free-position shot, allowing UC to sit comfortably with a 3-0 advantage, and 16:43 still to play in the half. 
 
The Battlers, however, didn't give up easy, scoring three quick goals in less than five minutes, to tie the game at 3-3. The Golden Eagles worked the visitors defensively, passing the ball around them, looking to score another goal. A UC turnover with 4:40 left to play allowed an AB player to pick up the ball and sneak one past goalkeeper Kyra Tye, putting Charleston down 4-3. Rock answered back less than a minute later, after junior midfielder Abby McGowan gave her a beautiful pass in to the arch, allowing Rock to score, putting the game back at 4-4. The score remained tied, 4-4, between the Golden Eagles and the Battlers heading into the half.
 
Coming into the second half of play, Charleston seems like a different team, using skill and energy to overtake the visitors. Youngman started the second half scoring frenzy, forcing one past AB's goalkeeper, allowing UC to lead 5-4. She wasn't done scoring yet, sneaking another one into the net off of another free position shot, making the score 6-4 with 20:53 left to play. Less than a minute later Youngman was back with the ball in her stick, rushing past defenders to score yet another goal for UC, putting the score at 7-4. Renda followed suit, using her offensive skill to give UC another goal, leading 8-4 with 17:20 left to play.
 
Charleston continued to work past the Battler's defense, adding three more goals in less than two minutes; one from Youngman, one from Rock, and one from McGowan, giving UC a 11-4 lead with 15:00 left. Less than a minute later, Renda added yet another goal for Charleston; 12-4. Two more goals from Renda from free position shots in the three minutes that followed, secured the win for Charleston, as the Battlers trailed by 10; 14-4. One last goal from Youngman with less than 7:00 left was the icing on the cake for Charleston, as they were able to gain a win on their home turf. With less than three seconds left, AB scored to make the score final at 15-5.
 

CHARLESTON INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
GOALS:Samantha Youngman, (6); Emma Renda (5)
ASSISTS: Abby McGowan (1)
GROUNDBALLS: Samantha Youngman (5)
SAVES: Kyra Tye (10)

UP NEXT 
Charleston will travel to Lake Eerie University on Saturday, March 2^nd, with game time set for 4:00 p.m.