FERRUM, Va. – The Greensboro College women's lacrosse team defeated the Panthers of Ferrum College Wednesday, 13-11.
 
Greensboro quickly raced out to a two-goal lead in the first three minutes after Kara Whitson and Natalie Ritchey both found the back of the net.
 
Ferrum then cut the Greensboro advantage down to one goal just 30 seconds following Ritchey's goal, but Greensboro was able to get the goal back one minute later after Madison Blashaw took a pass from Whitson and beat the Ferrum keeper.
 
With the Pride holding on to the two goal advantage, Greensboro outscored the Panthers 3-2 over the next eight minutes to extend their lead to 6-3 with 10:19 to play in the first half. Briar Martin, Ritchey and Peyton Joyce each had a goal for Greensboro, while both Whitson and Joyce tallied one assist.
 
Following the goal by Joyce, Ferrum was able to pull to within one-goal once again, but Ritchey tallied her third goal of the game with less than one minute showing on the clock to give the Pride a 7-5 halftime lead.
 
In the second half, Greensboro was able to outscore the Panthers 4-1 over the first 15 minutes to gain a five-goal lead at 11-6. Laine Walston, Joyce, Whitson and Blashaw each had one goal.
 
Over the remainder of the game, Ferrum would get no closer than three goals as Greensboro was able to hold on for the three-goal victory despite a late push by the Panthers.
 
"Awesome win today," Head Coach Jena Miller said. "We really fought hard and again we had a lot of people step up when we needed them to.
 
"We are really growing as a team and it is showing. On to the next one!"
 
Ritchey, Blashaw and Whitson each finished with a hat trick, while Joyce had two goals. Mackenzie Flemmons caused a team-high two turnovers and Joyce possessed a game-leading 12 draw controls. Stephaine Carr tallied the win in goal for Greensboro.
 
The Pride women will return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday when they host the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan. For more information on Greensboro College women's lacrosse, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.