MEMPHIS, Tenn. (April 1, 2023) — The Rhodes Lynx remain undefeated in SAA conference play following their 21-4 win over the Centre Colonels on Saturday morning. The Lynx now sit at 7-5 overall on the season, and 3-0 against SAA opponents.
Despite Centre pulling in the first draw control of the game, it was a dominant first quarter for the Lynx. Emily Bruner found Caroline Kardian and Carina Wesker for back-to-back Rhodes goals to set the tone early. On the next offensive possession for the Lynx, Wesker found the back of the net on a free-position shot to score her 100th career goal.
Rhodes kept the scoring run rolling with freshman Sophia Horowitz scoring next, extending the lead to 4-0. After back and forth scoreless possessions, Rhodes ended the final three minutes of the quarter on a scoring blitz. Sierra Anderson added a free-position goal while Chloe Parker notched two goals and Kardian added her second of the afternoon. Centre struggled with the staunch defensive play from the Lynx, only getting off four shots in the quarter and turning the ball over eight times.
The second quarter started where the Lynx left off and Avery Burke tallied her first of the day. Parker, Kardian and Wesker all added another goal, extending the Lynx lead 12-0. Haley Rice put Centre on the board with a free-position goal. Parker scored her fourth goal off the game and Anderson added another free-position goal to put Rhodes up 14-1 heading into the half. Molly Martiner added two first half assists for the Lynx.
Centre kicked off the third quarter scoring first with a woman-up goal from Gracie Garney. It would be the only Colonels goal of the quarter. Anna Erskine scored her first goal of the game off a zinger right past the goalie's helmet and Burke scored the next two goals for the Lynx to head into the final quarter with a 17-2 advantage.
The final quarter started exactly as the third did with Garney tallying another woman-up goal. Rhodes answered with Maisie Arlotto finding Anderson for her hat trick goal. Erin Reynolds answered back with Centre's fourth and final goal of the afternoon. Nur Hamada dished it to Grace Williams for her first down of the game. Sophomore Madison Recker tallied a woman-down goal and Molly Heidrick scored in the final 11 seconds of the game to solidify the 21-4 victory.
The Lynx dominated virtually every stat category. They outshot the Colonels 40-19, turned the ball over less (9-19), and scooped 21 ground balls compared to Centre's 12. Ten different Lynx scored in this one, including five players with multiple goals.
Emily Bruner added 7 assists on the day along with 3 caused turnovers. The Rhodes defense came to play with Bari Pinkett scooping up 4 gound balls and causing 3 turnovers, Emma Norris grabbing 3 ground balls and causing 2 turnovers and Julia Dalessandro added 2 ground balls and 2 caused turnovers.
Next up for the Lynx is Sunday home game against Southwestern at Mason Field on Sunday, April 2 at 10:00 am. Sunday's game will be played in honor of Morgan's Message and ending the stigma around student-athletes' mental health.
