SPORTS

Davidson’s Gianna New maneuvers to get a shot on goal – a photo from last season.

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Despite trailing through most of the first 20 minutes of play on Friday, the Davidson Wildcats powered past George Washington, 20-13, thanks to a dominating offensive display from junior Gianna New and sophomore Grace Fahey. 

While the ‘Cats never led by more than one goal until the 7:36-mark of the first half, New and Fahey led Davidson through a 6-1 run to close out the first and put the home team in front, 12-8.

The Wildcats’ offensive surge carried into the second half as well, as Sam Rippley netted one of her three points of the day in the opening minutes of the frame. Though the Colonials answered right back to make it a 13-9 game, New went on to score four of Davidson’s next five goals and put the game out of reach, for good, for the Colonials. 

With New’s seven goals on the day, the junior set a new career-high in scoring and fell just one goal shy of matching the program’s single-game goals record. Rippley’s two goals and one assist against the Colonials gave the senior 98 career points to date, as she will need just two more to reach the 100 career points milestone. Erin Cooke added six points, off four assists and two goals, to the scoresheet, recording her fifth straight performance with 4+ points. 

In goal, junior Katy Morris made two saves and picked up the first win of her career through 42 minutes of work.