Hickory, N.C.--For the first time since the 2018 season, the Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Lacrosse team is 3-0 to open conference play as the Bears defeated Catawba 18-9 in Moretz Stadium on Saturday. Kaitlyn Cavanaugh tied her career-high with five goals and Rylie McGhan had a career-high four goals for the Bears while Jolan Morey had two goals and four assists.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final:  Lenoir-Rhyne 18, Catawba 9
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (4-4, 3-0 SAC), Catawba (1-8, 0-3 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Stadium

STATS OF THE GAME

• The teams traded goals to open the game before the Bears scored two straight to close the first quarter with a 3-1 lead. 
• The Indians scored the first and last goals of the second quarter but the Bears scored four straight in between which was the difference as the Bears took a four goal lead into halftime. 
• Catawba scored three of the first four goals of the second half to cut the lead to 8-6 but that would be the closest the Indians would get. The Bears scored six unanswered to close the quarter.
• LR added four goals in the final frame as the Bears doubled up Catawba for the 18-9 win. 
• Cavanaugh scored three of her five goals in the third quarter and added two assists for seven points on the afternoon. 
• Freshman McGhan had just one career goal coming into today but added four goals for her first career hat track.
• Morey had a season-high four assists and added a pair of goals for the Bears. 
• Teana Sieben made double-digit saves for the second time this season as she made ten stops in between the pipes today.
• Bears forced Catawba into 17 turnovers as Chloe Christensen led the Bears with three caused turnovers. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• For the first time since 2018, the Bears have started 3-0 in conference play. The Bears were a perfect 8-0 in the SAC that year. 
• Bears have won back-to-back games for the first time during the 2023 campaign.
• LR won their fifth straight against Catawba
• Overall the Bears are 11-1 all-time against the Indians, the lone loss was an 11-10 overtime defeat during the 2017 campaign. 
• Cavanaugh is two goals shy of 50 for her career. 
• Today was Sieben's 21st game with at least ten saves in goal as the senior is 80 saves away from the program record. 
• LR has scored 37 goals in the two games this week. 

UP NEXT: The Bears will travel to UVA Wise on Wednesday for a 3:00 contest.