ST. DAVIDS, Pa.— Behind a milestone day from sophomore Natalia Willoughby, Eastern University  Women's Lacrosse claimed a 20-5 home win over the Bryn Mawr College Owls (2-5). Willoughby pulled in eight draw controls to go over 100 for her career and added five goals, two assists and two ground balls.

The Eagles (4-4) scored the first two goals of the game on tallies from Anaelis Morales and WIlloughby, but when the Owls scored an extra-player goal midway through the first, the Eastern lead was only one. Addison Whitaker set up Morales for a goal with five minutes left and Horton tucked home her first of three on the day for a 4-1 lead after one period. Morales finished with five goals and an assist.

Though Eastern and Bryn Mawr are separated by only about two and a half miles of Lancaster Ave., the two lacrosse programs had not played each other since Horton's mother and aunt controlled play for the Eagles in the early 2000's. Horton finished with three goals and three assists in today's win.

With a decisive 11-to-5 edge in shots in the second period the Eagles built their lead to 10-4 at the break. Morales scored two of her five goals in the second, Willoughby had tow, Horton had two, and Paige Robinson scored her first of four on the afternoon.

Out of the intermission, the Eagles played some of their best lacrosse of the season. Five different players found the net and the Eagles won six-of-seven draws in a 6-1 run. Willoughby came into today's game six draws short of 100. She gathered five in the first half and hit her century early in the third. Seana Rogers and Madison Groetsch each scored in the period.

With the double-digit lead, the Eagles controlled possession in the final period to secure the win. Tori Benjamin started the game and made a pair of saves and Natasha Challou finished the deal to give the Eagles their first three-game winning streak since 2018.

Before the game, the team recognized the work being done by Morgan's Message to raise mental health awareness on college campuses and in the sport of lacrosse. The organization is committed to supporting young people in need and to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. 

Eastern's focus will shift from the Main Line to the Blue Route for their next game. The Eagles open league play with a home test against Widener on Wednesday.