LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The George Fox Bruins absolutely destroyed the Spalding Eagles with a strong overall score of 20-3 giving an incredibly strong start in the first quarter, and completing the game just as strongly.

How It Happened
The game started intensely strong for the Bruins, scoring nine points in a row—the first couple right off the bat within the first two minutes of the game. Noami Rauch passed the ball to Sasha Thayer crossing over right in the center, and throwing the ball right into the box—the quick goal brought them ahead 1-0. In the next minute Merrick Gibson closed in on the goalie, scoring the second goal for the Bruins.

Lana Davis and Thayer scored the next two goals and draw control was won immediately after by Davis. After a couple minutes, Ava Bluhm scored a solid goal, bringing their score up to 5-0. Alli Stilp made the next one, with three more followed by Anna Newkirk, Jasmine Uresti, and Gibson.

Stilp won the draw control after that, but there was a turnover—the Eagles finally scored their first point with just under two minutes left as Fox let their defense calm down a little bit. However, the Bruins were too eager as Stilp snatched another goal, attacking the center and charging in from the left side. 

The score was at 10-1 as the second quarter began—Fox began to tread a little lighter. With ten minutes remaining in the period, Gibson picked up the groundball, and ran to the undefended goalie, scoring another shot—11-1. A couple minutes later, the ball gets tossed like a hot-potato around the net, but it eventually got thrown to Gibson, who passed it to Davis just cutting in through the defense and launching it powerfully into the goal. 

With around two minutes left, Spalding was able to score another goal, marking the score at 12-2, still keeping the Bruins at a mighty advantage. But Fox bit back when Claire Abraham won the draw control, getting it around to Davis, who then scored beautifully—13-2 ending the second period.

The third quarter was also less intense, but the Bruins were still making their points. Stilp picked up the groundball, passed it to Bluhm as she flung it into the net. As five minutes passed, Fox had a back-to-back goal sequence with Abraham locking in a goal on man down, and Newkirk brought the score up to 16-2 with her goal.

A three-point run ensued for the Bruins all throughout the final quarter—Gibson, Abraham, and Bluhm scored clean goals, second nature to them at this point. Eventually, a free-position kick was in play for Spalding as they made their third goal, 19-3, but the Bruins were determined to tally one final goal in the last three minutes.

Callie Olson attempted a shot, but it was blocked. Then, Thayer tried to connect, but it was saved by the goalie. Finally, Davis passed the ball to Bluhm, weaving through the thick defense and making the final goal and claiming the 20-3 victory.

Top Performances 
Ava Bluhm and Merrick Gibson scored four goals and had two assists each, while Lana Davis made three goals, one assists, and eleven striking draw control wins total. Claire Abraham won five draw controls and scored two goals, similarly to Anna Newkirk and Sasha Thayer—with two goals and two assists each. Also, Alli Stilp made two goals, and locked in three draw control wins and one assist, as Jasmine Uresti scored one beautiful goal for the day as well.

What It Means
The Bruins are now 6-3 overall, while the Eagles fall to 4-4 in the mid-season.

What Comes Next
The Bruins will travel back home to Newberg, Ore. to play against the Whitman Blues after spring break on Friday, April 3. The game is scheduled for 4:00 pm.