Reynolds' Career Day Helps Secure Ford's 200th Win

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Florida – Junior Ashley Reynolds stopped a career-high 16 shots, keeping The College of Wooster women's lacrosse team in the game until the Fighting Scots offense clicked in the third quarter of Thursday's 13-12 win over Plymouth State University (New Hampshire) at the SpringFling. Wooster's win was head coach Elizabeth Ford's 200th.

Wooster (5-1) sophomore Lizzie Hardy's persistence won a draw control with about 1:35 remaining in Thursday's Florida finale. Plymouth State (3-2) had just pulled within one, making possession crucial. Wooster emerged from the three-on-three battle with Hardy in control. Next, junior Kaitlyn McBride was fouled inside the eight meter and wisely pulled the ball out rather than go in for a free-position shot to maintain possession.

Plymouth State gained possession with just 14 seconds remaining and had to go the length of the field down a player. Plymouth State did get the ball into the attacking end, but a desperation pass in the final seconds was deflected by junior Lexi Sarne, keeping the Panthers from getting a shot off.

Earlier, Reynolds was the star, denying Plymouth State time and time again. The junior had 10 saves at halftime, just one off a career-high. Reynolds had seven saves in the second period alone, and of note, six of the 16 came on free-position shots.

Reynolds' steady play helped Wooster settle in, and the Scots responded with a seven-goal third period, during which the team only had one turnover. Five unanswered Wooster goals came in the final 7:34 of the stanza, starting with a senior Kenzie Smith-to-senior Ciara O'Connor connection that had Wooster within 8-7. Next, McBride found Hardy for the tying score, then O'Connor hit the go-ahead goal with 3:56 remaining.

Sophomore Brynne Snaguski scored three second-half goals to help Wooster to a 13-9 lead. The attacker's height proved beneficial on the third-quarter score, as Snaguski was able to catch a high pass and then finish over the top of the Panther's defense.

Sophomore Bella Woodbury led Wooster with five points on three goals and two assists. She was joined in the hat trick column by O'Connor and Snaguski. Sarne powered the defense with four groundballs and three caused turnovers, while Hardy and Snaguski each had three groundballs. Hardy accounted for seven of Wooster's 12 drawn controls.

Reynolds' 16 saves marked a career-high by five. The junior previously had 11 saves against Ohio Wesleyan University in 2023.

Plymouth State's Julia Donovan scored five goals, passed out three assists, and caused three turnovers to lead the Panthers. Margie Black made eight saves, while Jenna Stowell had seven draw controls. Defensively, Plymouth State was led by Megan Gaspa's five caused turnovers and four groundballs.

Plymouth State outshot Wooster 31-26 and led 21-18 in groundballs and 16-12 in draw controls. The Panthers had just 14 turnovers. Wooster's positive team stat was a 180-degree turnaround in the turnover department, as the Scots had just seven after halftime.

Next, Wooster plays at Saint Mary's College (Indiana) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20.