Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – First year head coach Sylvia Queener picked up her first collegiate win Sunday as the Whittier College Women's Lacrosse team pulled off the 9-4 win over Augustana College at Memorial Stadium.

The Vikings came out and added the first two goals of the contest on their first two possessions.  Whittier's Lexie Meanor (Sewickley, PA) and Emily Hansen (Seal Beach, Calif.) would come back though and respond with two of their own that deadlocked the game.  With 4:34 to play in the half, Augustana' Carla Bennett would capitalize on a free position attempt that put the Vikings back on top but it was short-lived as Meanor, receiving an open field pass from Melanie Rizzotti (Mukilteo, WA) would knot things up at 3-3 heading into the break.

Bailey Aasen got the scoring started in the second half within the first minute that moved the score to 4-3 but it would be all Purple & Gold the rest of the half as they would go on to add six in a row with freshman Neely O'Grady (Lorton, VA) sparking the run being fed by Jess Hansen (Seal Beach, Calif.), who would go on to feed the next three goal scorers as well.

Nicole Lindke would add her first of the game as well during the run, while Meanor would go on to add three more strikes capped off with an O'Grady connection that added insurance.

Meanor finished with five goals and three groundballs.  J. Hansen had four assists, while Rizzotti picked up an assist, five groundballs, and three caused turnovers. 

Between the posts, Madison Topping (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) had a stellar game with 14 saves against 18 shots, while playing all 60:00 minutes.  Despite only getting four draw controls, Whittier was 13-19 on clear attempts and picked up 27 groundballs, while taking 21 shots.      

Whittier returns to action this Friday, February 24 as they travel to take on the Uni. of Redlands beginning at 7:00pm.