WILSON, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey women's lacrosse team returned from Easter break and used a fast start in the opening quarter en route to a 20-8 victory over Barton Wednesday evening at Truist Stadium.
 
Both teams entered the contest in second and third place, respectively, in the Conference Carolinas standings.
 
Riley D'Andrea led the way for the Crusaders with a nine-point game (5 goals, 4 assists) while Olivia Carlino had four goals and an assist. It was the fourth time this season Belmont Abbey has reached the 20-goal mark in a single game this season.
 
The Crusaders improved to 8-6 overall, 5-1 in the conference. The Bulldogs are now 7-7 overall and 4-3 in league play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Belmont Abbey jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening with a pair of goals from Carlino, one from D'Andrea and another from Haley Adamo.
• Barton responded with two goals to open the second quarter before the Crusaders responded with six of the next seven goals to take a 10-3 halftime lead.
• Grace Ridge scored two of the six goals in the third quarter for Belmont Abbey.
• Summer Eddinger made five saves in the win. She led the team with five ground balls.
• Lexi Helms and Maggie Stocking each recording three ground balls and both had a pair of caused turnovers.  
• Kathryn Monk earned five draw controls to lead the team.
• 10 different Crusaders scored goals in the win and the team finished with eight assists.
• Belmont Abbey outshot Barton 33-21, including a 24-13 advantage in shots on goal.

 
UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey plays its final road game of the regular season with a contest at Chowan beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday in Murfreesboro, N.C.
• The Crusaders close the regular season with a pair of home games next week against Converse and Emmanuel on April 18 and April 21.