MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – The University of Redlands Women's Lacrosse team (1-0) opened their 2024 season with a 14-12 win at Berry College on Monday as they were able to hold onto an early 6-0 lead.
The Bulldogs gained that 6-0 advantage in the first twelve minutes of the game as Celine Flaig (Redondo Beach, CA) scored a hat trick with Ruby Czajkowski (West Hartford, CT), Emily Webster (Ladera Ranch, CA), and Maya Weaver (Tustin, CA) all adding a goal as well. Weaver assisted Flaig on the opening tally, while Jenna Bradford (Anaheim, CA) and Cailin Walker (Portland, OR) picked up another two assists as the six goals came from five full strength situations and one player advantage.
Over the next seven minutes Berry was able to claw back pulling within three as Redlands. The U of R scoreless drought would last nearly ten minutes before Flaig was assisted by Walker moving the score to 7-3 with 8:34 left in the half.
After the Vikings scored their fourth of the game, Webster started a 3-0 Bulldog run that included scores from Catie Ramicone (Countryside, Ill.) and then Czajkowski with only :10 seconds remaining in the first half as the Maroon and Grey took a 10-4 lead into the break. Both players assisted on each other's goals.
It was a 4-1 Berry run in the opening ten minutes of the third quarter as Berry was again within three, 11-8. Bradford was able to slow the run as she scored an unassisted goal with 3:34 on the clock, but the Vikings got the goal back :33 seconds later as they would score three unanswered to cut the deficit to one, 12-11, with 9:51 left in the final period.
The Bulldog defense was able to hold tight the rest of the way as they only allowed one more goal, while Webster took advantage of an extra player as she scored the eventual game-winning goal with 8:02 on the clock. The 14th goal came from Mallory Morrissey (Coronado, CA) with 2:01 left as Redlands was able to start the season with a win handing the Vikings their first loss on the season.
Flaig tied for a game-high with four goals in her first game in 22 months since April 30, 2022. She also had two ground balls and seven draw controls. Webster also had four goals with two ground balls. Walker did not score but she had four assists, four draw controls, and four ground balls as the Bulldogs had five more ground balls on the day.
In goal Alyssa Ashley (Vista, CA) and Kristiana Dinsenbacher (Temecula, CA) combined for the win as Ashley played just over 42 minutes with three saves and Dinsenbacher did not allow a goal with one save in the final 17:39.
The Bulldogs will get Tuesday off before they play at Oglethorpe University on Wednesday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m. PST in Atlanta.
