SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke built a commanding 12-2 lead and never trailed in the 18-5 win over Guilford in its home finale Saturday afternoon at Kerr Stadium. The Maroons improve to 9-5 overall, 7-1 in the ODAC. The Quakers dropped to 6-8, 3-4 in conference play.
The Maroons, now 28-0 all-time against Guilford, posted the highest goal total against the Quakers since 2004. Roanoke improved its winning-streak to five-straight.
With the score, 2-1 with 21:54 remaining in the first half, Roanoke reeled off nine-straight goals to spread the game wide open. They went into halftime with a convincing, 12-2 lead. The Maroons would outscore the Quakers, 6-3 in the second half en route to win the game and clinch a #2 seed and a first-round bye in the ODAC Tournament.
Roanoke outshot Guilford, 43-14, won the groundball battle, 25-13 and went 14-for-15 in clear attempts. The Maroons were 3-for-7 in free-position shots and forced 20 turnovers defensively.
Gina Valles (South Windsor, CT, Westminster )finished with three goals and four assists for seven points. Her point total broke her own single-season scoring record at Roanoke with 99 points. She also moved into second on the all-time scoring list with 276 career points, 22 points shy of tying the school-record. The junior midfielder also became only the third player at Roanoke with 200 career goals. Valles moved into third in career assists with 76.
The Maroons were paced by Meegan Rourke (Greenwich, CT, Millbrook School), who tallied a career-high five goals with three groundballs. Rourke, which is currently seventh in the country in caused turnovers, had one on the day. Paige Mason (Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, Orangeville)netted three goals and collected three groundballs. Carolyn Miller (Clinton, MD, St. Mary's Ryken)and Sunni Ray (Severna Park, MD, Severn)had two goals apiece as Ray became the 29th Maroon to eclipse over 100 career points.
Elizabeth Hartge (Easton, MD, Easton)totaled game-bests of six groundballs and four caused turnovers, which were also career-highs for the sophomore. Valles added four groundballs and three caused turnovers.
Guilford was led by Emily Egan with two goals, followed by Sarah Bradburd, Summer Frazier and Hannah Merrell with a goal apiece. Frazier and Carrie Ernst each totaled four groundballs while Merrell led the Quakers with two caused turnovers.
Alyzza-May Callahan finished with 12 saves in goal for the Quakers. Laura Zdziarski (Gainesville, FL, Buchholz)totaled a season-high seven stops for the Maroons in her fifth win of the season.
The Maroons travel to Newport News to play against Christopher Newport in their regular season finale. Roanoke is 5-1 against its in-state foe, with the last two meetings decided by a single goal. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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