GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Elisha Stack scored three goals and had nine assists and Jessie Carolin-Vandenberg scored seven goals as Tusculum University defeated Thomas More University 22-4 in non-conference women's lacrosse Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field.
Stack's nine assists broke the single-game program record of eight that she shared with Madison Malone while her 12 points matched the record set by Savannah Elliott against Converse in 2017 and equaled by Stack last season against North Greenville. She also became the ninth player in program history to surpass 100 career points. Stack's nine assists are the most in a single game this season in Division II.
Carolin-Vandenberg's seven goals were a career high and tied for the third-most in a game in program history for the Pioneers (3-4), who outshot the Saints (1-6) by a 36-11 margin. Laura Nance Pickens scored four goals, Carmella Nilsson added three and Marissa Fink scored twice for the Pioneers, who also received goals from Mya Halladay, Kayla Nuccio and Amaya Cadman in the victory.
Meg Pierani and Hannah Scheland scored two goals apiece for Thomas More, which was held off the scoreboard for the final 19 minutes, 20 seconds of the match. Tusculum had a 13-goal run from the 6:43 mark of the first quarter until 7:37 remained in the third quarter.
Stack had two goals and five assists in the first quarter as Tusculum built a 9-2 lead after one quarter, and the Pioneers tacked on five goals in the second quarter to carry a 14-2 lead into halftime. Pickens scored three goals in the second half for the Pioneers, with two goals and an assist from Stack.
Tusculum had a 13-12 advantage in draw controls, with Nilsson leading the Pioneers with six and Alex Nunn collecting six draws for the Saints. Carolin-Vandenberg had four ground balls to lead the Pioneers, with three ground balls and two caused turnovers by Caroline Rauhuff.
The Pioneers were 17-for-19 on clears while the Saints were just 8-for-15 on clears. Thomas More had 24 turnovers in the game to 15 for Tusculum.
Emily White played the first half in goal for the Pioneers and had two saves, with one save for Emery Dove in 18:38 of playing time. Brianna Warren played the final 11:22 and did not face a shot. For Thomas More, Brooklyn Thatcher had six saves in the first three quarters, with three saves for Laney Sgantas in the fourth quarter.
The Pioneers are home to face Mars Hill on Wednesday, March 18 beginning at 3 p.m. The Lions are 3-4 overall and 0-3 in the South Atlantic Conference following a 19-4 loss to Newberry on Wednesday.
