The Oglethorpe women's lacrosse team hosted their first home game of the 2018 season on Saturday afternoon, taking on the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs at the Oglethorpe Track and Field. Tennessee Wesleyan put the Stormy Petrels behind early and rode that to an 18-4 victory, dropping Oglethorpe to 0-2 on the young season.

 

The Bulldogs managed to score five consecutive goals within the first five minutes of the opening half. The Petrels fought back from there, matching nearly goal-for-goal to end the first half with the score 11-4. Tennessee Wesleyan outscored the Petrels 4-0 in the second half, though.

 

The Petrels found themselves down 5-0 early in the contest and were in need of some type of spark. After the 5-0 deficit with 26:15 left in the half, the Petrels were able to hold off any goals by the Bulldogs over the next 12 minutes of play. During that time, the Petrels were able to find the back of the net, with sophomore attacker Balie Mitchum scoring the goal, assisted by junior midfielder Caroline Chamberlain. The Petrels were able to score again with 9:25 left before halftime thanks to sophomore midfielder Jill Czaplinski. However, the Bulldogs quickly responded with a goal of their own within the next 20 seconds. They would go on another 5-goal, and they held the Petrels off until the 1:32 mark of the first half. Sophomore attacker Elena Gierok was the Petrel who scored that goal, and Czaplinski would score another with only six seconds remaining in the half. Nonetheless, the Petrels ended the half trailing 11-4. The Petrels were able to connect on all four of their shots on goal in the first half.

 

The Bulldogs' Emily Waldrop opened up the second half scoring with three straight goals, giving her seven for the game. This dominant performance proved to be too much for the Petrels to overcome. The Petrels ended up losing 18-4. 

 

The Petrels lost the turnover battle, committing 23 compared to the Bulldogs' 12. Additionally, Tennessee Wesleyan collected 18 ground balls to Oglethorpe's six and outshot the Petrels 36-6 on goal. 

 

Czaplinski led her team with two goals. Sophomore goalie Jordan Chandler earned 18 saves on 36 shot attempts. 

 

The Petrels will remain at home on Tuesday night to challenge in-state opponent Piedmont at Oglethorpe Track and Field. Following that, the Petrels will travel to Danville, Kentucky, to face SAA opponent Centre on Saturday, Feb. 24.