RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Meredith College lacrosse Angels opened with a 23-5 victory over visiting Virginia Wesleyan University Tuesday night under the lights. Lilia Cruz, Maya Flake, and/or Tori Witmer contributed to 19 of Meredith's 23 goals in the win.

The Avenging Angels took an early lead with four goals in the first two and one half minutes before Wesleyan found their way to the box. Three more points pushed the lead to six, but the Marlins slipped past MC Lax for back-to-back goals. Cruz controlled the next two draws and the Angels eventually found their way to a goal in each series for a 9-3 advantage.

VWU called a timeout and returned to the field to score, but Witmer and Olivia Blake netted a trio of unassisted goals in one minute of play to maintain control of the match. A couple of stops from the Marlin goalie led Wesleyan to their final goal on the night with just under 17 minutes left in the first half.

Cruz led all with eight goals, 15 draw controls, adding three assists. Flake notched a career- and game-high seven assists with one goal and three caused turnovers, and Witmer tallied three goals, five assists. Blake had 10 shots on goal, finishing with four points, six ground balls, and a pair of draw controls.

Rookie Arianna May found the net in each of her three attempts, assisted on one, and caused two turnovers with a pair of ground balls. Briana Petrusa, Kylie Phillips, and Ali Schuh scored their first goals on the season, and freshman Jessica Dowdy, who ran the draw much of the night, scored her first goal with three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Joy Deitrich earned the win starting in goal for the Angels with two saves during the first period. Freshman Madeline Horrell assumed goalie duties at the break and recorded one save. VWU's Jordan Moilanen earned the loss for the Marlins with 15 stops on the night.

The Avenging Angels travel to Lynchburg Saturday for a 3 p.m. start. Fans should review each opponents Covid-19 spectator policies before traveling to watch Meredith. Follow live action HERE.