Prestia, Henry power Reinhardt past Tennessee Wesleyan, 13-5

Waleska, Ga. - Reinhardt women's lacrosse used a balanced attack and steady quarter-by-quarter scoring to pull away from Tennessee Wesleyan for a 13-5 home victory Wednesday afternoon in Waleska, Ga.

The Eagles seized control early with a 4-1 first quarter and never allowed the Bulldogs to get back within three goals, answering each Tennessee Wesleyan push with a response of their own. The decisive stretch came out of halftime, when Reinhardt opened the third quarter with three straight goals to turn a 7-3 advantage into a commanding 10-3 lead and effectively put the game out of reach.

Izzy Prestia led Reinhardt with three goals and two assists, factoring into the offense in every quarter. Lawna Henry added two goals and two assists, while Mary Grace Lewis and Casey Kidd chipped in two goals apiece as the Eagles finished with 13 goals on 30 shots on frame. Reinhardt totaled 36 shots overall and assisted on seven of its scoring plays.

Reinhardt set the tone in the first quarter when Henry opened the scoring at 11:56, followed by back-to-back goals from Marissa Davis and a late strike from Prestia, assisted by Emma Perritte, for a 4-1 lead. The Eagles kept the pressure on in the second quarter as Perritte, Carly Harris and another late tally pushed the margin to 7-3 at the half. Prestia's goal at 11:07 of the third quarter, followed by scores from Lewis and a free-position conversion from Henry, broke the game open.

Kidd took over early in the fourth quarter, scoring at 10:42 and again at 6:03 on a feed from Henry to make it 12-5. Lewis added the final goal at 2:48 to close the scoring and secure the 13-5 result. The Eagles' work in the midfield was evident as they collected 25 ground balls and owned the draw circle with a 15-5 edge in draw controls, helping Reinhardt control possession throughout the contest.

Tennessee Wesleyan was led by Elizabeth Pluta, who finished with three goals and one assist while taking six of the Bulldogs' 10 shots. Olivia Downey added two goals, including Tennessee Wesleyan's lone goal in the second quarter and another later in the frame, and goalie Rylee Brendlinger turned in a busy 60-minute performance with 17 saves on 36 shots faced. Tennessee Wesleyan was limited to seven shots on goal and committed 17 turnovers against the Eagles' pressure.

Reinhardt split time in goal between Madison Hasty and Katie Musulman, with the tandem allowing just four goals and Musulman recording two saves in her 30 minutes. With the win, the Eagles continue their homestand and now turn their attention to Senior Day on Saturday, March 21, when they are scheduled to host Columbia College at 1 p.m. in Waleska.