ALLENDALE, MICH. – The GVSU women's lacrosse team opened their home schedule with a matchup against Ashland. The Lakers took care of the Eagles 16-3, moving to 5-1 on the season.
 
After Ashland scored the opening goal of the game, GVSU responded with the next four of the quarter. Sydney Stone scored the first two, followed by single goals from Delaney Smith and Ashleigh Rothe, as they led 4-1 after the first quarter.
 
The Lakers kept on rolling into the second quarter, getting goals from Smith, Rothe and Ella Boose, getting an assist from Smith. Ashland got one before the end of the half but trailed 7-2 at the end of the half.
 
GVSU began the second half with three consecutive goals, as Zoe Ziegler, Rothe, and Ainsley Shilling all found the back of the net. The Eagles responded with their third goal of the day, but GVSU answered right back as Leah Leonard took a pass from Smith and scored her first career goal. That was followed by Stone adding one, and another from Leonard, again on an assist from Smith, to lead 13-3 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, GVSU pitched a shutout, outscoring Ashland 3-0 over the final 15 minutes. Recording the goals for the Lakers were Stone, Boose, and Smith, as GVSU cruised in their home opener.
 
Three Lakers recorded hat tricks, led by Sydney Stone's four. Ashleigh Rothe and Delaney Smith each recorded three, with Smith also dishing out four assists. Ella Boose and Leah Leonard both scored twice, while Ainsley Shilling and Zoe Ziegler both had one goal. Leonard added a career-high seven draw controls as part of the best game of her freshman year.
 
Getting the win in the cage was Kaylyn Cater, as she recorded two saves and a groundballs. Stone forced four turnovers, as the Lakers forced nine as a team. Boose picked up four groundballs, while Stone, Rothe, and Kylie Waeghe all grabbed three.
 
Up Next
The Lakers head back out on the road next Sunday, as they travel to Kansas City to play Rockhurst.