EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Women's Lacrosse Team (1-3) earned its first win of the 2026 season as the Wasps held off visiting Lees-McRae College (1-2) in non-conference action Wednesday evening. E&H saw seven different players find the back of the net on their way to the 17-16 victory. The win marks the first for the Wasps over a Division II opponent in program history.

The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 17, Lees-McRae 16
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Food City Sports Complex
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (0-3, 0-1 SAC); Lees-McRae (1-1, 0-0 Carolinas)

How It Happened
- The Wasps struck first just over two minutes into the contest when junior attack Bethany Beecher (Roanoke, Va.) scored on an assist from senior midfielder Justyce Jones (Jacksonville, N.C.). Graduate student attack Mary Martinez (Estado de Mexico, MEXICO) recorded her first of the game 26 seconds later on a helper from sophomore midfielder Alex Costello (Johnson City, Tenn.) to grow the lead to 2-0. The Bobcats would respond with four unanswered goals to take a 4-2 advantage, but Beecher had the last say of the quarter, scoring an unassisted tally to make it 4-3 through one period of play.
- Martinez struck again just 11 seconds into the second quarter and junior defender Megan D'Amore (Mooresville, N.C.) followed suit 14 seconds after Martinez to put E&H back in front at 5-4. LMC tied the contest with the next goal, but Jones joined in on the goal parade at the 10:03 mark to push the Wasps back ahead 6-5. The Bobcats had an answer 30 seconds later to tie the contest once more, but junior attack Avery McHargue (Weaverville, N.C.) put her name on the score sheet with an unassisted tally and Martinez scored another on a helper from Jones to give the Wasps a two-goal cushion at 8-6. LMC closed the gap to one until Costello took a pass from McHargue and beat the goalie to run the score out to 9-7. Lees-McRae would record the final two scores of the half to knot things up at 9-9 halfway through the contest.
- Neither team scored through the first four minutes of the third period, but sophomore midfielder Whitney Holland (Rocky Mount, Va.) broke through at the 10:56 on an assist from Costello to make it 10-9. Martinez continued her scoring barrage with 5:48 on the clock on another assist from Costello to push the Wasps' advantage back out to 11-9. After a Bobcats' goal, Jones converted on a free-position shot to make it 12-10. LMC would put up the final two goals of the period to tie the game once again at 12-12 heading into the final quarter of play.
- The Emory & Henry offense came to life to start the fourth as Jones capitalized on another free-position shot, Martinez scored yet another on a Holland assist and Beecher tallied a goal on an assist from Martinez to run the lead out to 15-12. Lees-McRae got a goal back, but Martinez responded with yet another goal, her sixth of the game, to make it 16-13. LMC rallied to close the gap to just one at 16-15, but Holland put home an unassisted goal a player down to increase the margin back to 17-15. Lees-McRae would score one last goal with 4:36 remaining, but the Wasps locked down on defense to see out their first win of the season. 

Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Martinez paced the Wasps with a career-high six goals, one assist, two ground balls and a caused turnover. Jones finished with a hat trick of three goals, two assists, five ground balls, four draw controls and four caused turnovers. Beecher recorded three goals, three ground balls and forced a turnover.
- Costello had one goal, three assists, four ground balls, one draw control and one caused turnover while Holland collected two goals, one assist, four ground balls, two draw controls and caused a pair of turnovers. D'Amore led the defense with one goal, one ground ball, a team-high 11 draw controls and one caused turnover.
- Freshman goalie Ella James (Roanoke, Va.) posted a career-high 10 saves in net to earn her first career win.

Lees-McRae Individual Leaders
- Courtney Bednarz led all scorers with eight goals, four draw controls, one ground ball and one caused turnover. Madi Primeau went for a hat trick of three goals while collecting two draw controls, one ground ball and forcing one turnover.
- Bailee Lizza made 11 saves in goal for the Bobcats. 

Up Next
- The Wasps continue home non-conference play on Saturday, February 28 when they host the Bulldogs of Tennessee Wesleyan University. First draw is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from the Food City Sports Complex. 

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