Women's Lacrosse Rolls Past Berg in Home Opener

2/24/2021 10:33:00 PM | By: Luke Potosky, Staff Writer

Box Score UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Just a few days ago, John Carroll University Women's Lacrosse opened its season in a 3-0 deficit, but quickly turned things around. Playing in Don Shula Stadium for the first time in over a year, there was no turnaround needed when they took on Heidelberg University.

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, John Carroll defeated Heidelberg 19-1 at Don Shula Stadium in University Heights to improve to 2-0.

From beginning to end, the Blue Streaks were in the driver's seat.

Kendall Gessner got things going off a Sophie Grabowski pass to put JCU up 1-0. She was quickly followed by Jenna Ginsberg who netted a goal off an Olivia Gerlach pass.

After that, fifth-year senior Colleen Grombala tallied two consecutive goals to her name to put the Blue Streaks up 4-0.

A little bit later, Carly Ross found Alex Heishman for a score, and then Emma Workman found Olivia Gerlach to make it 6-0 JCU. Jill Jarem followed that up with two goals of her own to make things 8-0.

Lainey Donalson and Emma Workman quickly teamed up for a goal apiece soon after to make it a double-digit 10-0 lead for the Blue and Gold.

Finally, to end the first half, Grombala completed a hat trick and Lauren Schwartz found the net to give JCU a 12-0 halftime lead.

Dana Dudley of Heidelberg would get the Student Princes on the scoreboard to begin the second half, but that was all the Orange and Black could muster in the blustery conditions in University Heights.

Lainey Donalson and Carly Ross got things going again with a goal apiece to make it 14-1. Then, Olivia Hanulak scored off an Alex Heishman assist to make it a 15-1 ballgame.

Goals by Grombala, Ross, Donalson, and Kendall Gessner would wrap things up, as JCU cruised to a 19-1 victory.

Considering the margin of victory, Head Coach Rachel Dell was quite pleased with her team's performance in the home opener.

"We wanted to win every team stat and we did that tonight," the veteran coach said. "I am most proud of this team's depth and ability to play at the same intensity all game regardless of substitutions. That will be our ticket to our long-term success this season."

Dell went on to say how happy she was with the balanced scoring and the efforts of her goalkeepers which included Maddie Munding, Kaleigh Kotula, and Ava Welchans.

Individually, standout performers included (but were not limited to) Colleen Grombala (four goals, one assist), Lainey Donalson (three goals), Carly Ross (two goals, one assist, three caused turnovers), and Jill Jarem & Kendall Gessner (two goals apiece).

In terms of team stats, the Blue and Gold dominated across the field with 12 assists, 39 shots with 30 on goal that led to 19 scores, seven ground balls, 13 draw controls, and 12 caused turnovers on defense.

The Blue Streaks will look to carry the momentum from their resounding victory into next week as they're slated to host the neighboring Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets on Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m.

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