HANOVER, Ind. - The Malone University women's lacrosse team continued to start the season strong as they defeated the Hanover College Panthers 21-2. The Pioneers stand firm at 2-0 on the season while the Panthers fall to 0-2.
 
In the first quarter, the Pioneers started quickly as Cam English netted the first goal of the game from an assist by Abbey Burns within the first 35 seconds of the game. Malone kept the pressure on as they had a 10-1 lead from a goal by Burns with 17 seconds left in the period. Burns was on fire in the first quarter as she recorded 4-of-10 goals for the Pioneers.
 
Malone stayed on the offensive in the second quarter as Burns tallied her fifth goal on the day assisted by Emma Weintz with 12:23 left in the half. Weintz and Meg Ridgeway had one goal each and Caroline Bobo had two scores to make the score 15-2 at halftime. The Pioneers outshot the Panthers 10-1 in the second period.
 
In the third quarter, English tallied her second goal of the game off an assist by Ridgway with 13:42 in the period. Not long after, Burns had her sixth goal of the day from an assist by Ridgway with 12:26 remaining in the third. Weintz connected a goal off of a pass by Alana Samek to extend Malone's lead to 18-2. In the final six minutes of the period, Samek would find herself a goal from an assist by Jorjia Meza to finish the period with a strong 19-2 lead for the Pioneers. Malone finished the third period with an 80% (4-for-5) clearing rate.
 
The Pioneers saw two players earn their first goals on the season in the fourth quarter. Regan Blythe had her first goal off of an assist by Bobo at 13:49. Later in the period, Meza had her first goal from an assist by Ridgway. Malone finished the game with an impressive 21-2 win. The Pioneers controlled the center entirely at 3-for-3 on draws in the final quarter.
 
Malone had a field day offensively as Burns recorded six goals for the Pioneers followed by Samek (3), Praeter (2), Weintz (2), Ridgway (2), Bobo (2), English (2), Meza (1), and Blythe (1). Pioneer goalkeeper Sydney Atkinson (2-0) recorded her second start between the pipes and had a 75% (6-for-8) save rate.
 
The Pioneers look to continue their great start as they travel back to Ohio to take on Point Park University for their home opener on February 25 at 4:00 P.M.