Hickory, N.C.----The Lenoir-Rhyne University women's lacrosse team outscored Wingate University 10-3 after halftime, boosting the Bears to an 18-9 South Atlantic Conference victory over the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon at Moretz Stadium. L-R junior attack Torrey Schwitkis (San Diego, Calif.) led the Bears (5-3 overall, 2-0 SAC) with six goals and one assist. Wingate is 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the SAC.
 
Lenoir-Rhyne never trailed in the contest. The Bears led 6-1 with five players finding the back of the nets. The Bulldogs responded with a 5-1 run to cut the deficit to 7-6 on a free position goal by sophomore attack Jaclyn Chiesa (Canton, Ga.) with 1:56 to play in the opening frame. The Bears led 8-6 at intermission.
 
Wingate would get no closer in the second half. Bulldog junior midfielder Paulena Dempsey (Jarrettsville, Md.) led the WU scoring attack with four total goals. She has a team-best 23 goals this season. Senior midfielder and team captain Emily Nosek (Bel Air, Md.) added three goals and one assist.
 
Senior midfielder Claire Wach (Cary, N.C.) added four goals and two assists for the host Bears.
L-R sophomore goalkeeper Ines Flueck (Coppell, Texas) earned her fifth victory of the season. She allowed nine goals and posted nine saves. Wingate freshman goalkeeper Arion Pierre (Haymarket, Va.) also recorded nine saves. She surrendered 18 goals. Both net minders played 60 minutes Saturday.
 
Both teams step outside of the SAC fray for their next contest. Wingate visits Lees-McRae Wednesday night for a 6 p.m. game in Banner Elk. Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Rollins (Fla.) Thursday at 4 p.m.