BREVARD, N.C. – Jessica Baxtrom scored a season-high eight goals and the Newberry women’s lacrosse team rallied from an early deficit to capture their first victory of the season as they knocked off Brevard, 17-11.

With the win, Newberry improves their season record to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in South Atlantic Conference play. The loss drops Brevard to 0-8 overall and 0-5 in the SAC.

Brevard found themselves up on the Wolves 3-1 with just 6:53 off the clock in the first half. Newberry was able to storm back as they scored three unanswered goals to take their first lead of the game at 4-3 with 16:53 left in the frame. Brevard even the score at 4-4 but then Newberry reeled off five straight goals to take the lead for good.

Newbery outshot the Tornados 43-27 and went 5-for-9 on free positions. The Wolves as a whole collected 21 ground balls and only turned the ball over 12 times.

Baxtrom (St. Leonard, Md.) took 13 shots to accumulate the eight goals and led the team in both categories. Megan Kenny (Mauldin, S.C.) was second on the team with three goals on nine shots as she also had an assist. Ajahna Grosvenor (Lawrenceville, Ga.) had two goals, two draw controls and a ground ball.

Alexis Kahler (West Bloomfield, Mich.), Savannah Ohliger (Grantville, Ga.), Katie Thompson (Newark, Del.) and Tessa Davis (Triangle, Va.) all found the back of the net one time each for Newberry.

Newberry’s 3-0 started as Baxtrom had a free position shot saved by Brevard’s goalie Shelby Arsenault. It was picked up by Davis who flicked it over to Baxtrom who scored.

Davis was also key in the second goal as she scooped up a ground ball in Newberry’s own end as the Wolves had a successful clear attempt and Ohliger scored quickly after to tie the game 3-3. Kenny then scored the fourth goal unassisted.  

Brevard was able to make it 4-4 after a goal but that was the last time they would be able to pull even with Newberry. Davis and Baxtrom scored back-to-back goals off of free position attempts and the Wolves were able to keep the Tornados at bay with five straight goals.

Brevard was able to find the back of the net twice before the half but the Wolves took a 10-6 lead into the break. In the second half, Newberry hung on by outscoring the Tornados 7-5.

The Wolves will return home on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. as they host the University of Virginia at Wise.