Reinhardt rolls past Truett McConnell 28-3 after fast start in Cleveland

Cleveland, Ga. - Reinhardt seized control in the opening minutes and never let go Wednesday, racing past Truett McConnell 28-3 at the TMU Lacrosse Complex in Cleveland, Georgia. The Eagles scored the game's first two goals, built an 8-1 lead by the end of the first quarter and outscored Truett McConnell in every quarter on the way to the road win.

Hayley Rakestraw set the tone early and finished with a team-high five goals and two assists. Izzy Prestia added four goals, while Reinhardt's balanced attack kept pressure on the hosts throughout the afternoon. Chelbi McElwaney, Lainey Byrne and Marissa Davis each scored three times, and the Eagles kept adding on behind contributions from Lawna Henry, Grace Ashworth and Casey Kidd. Rakestraw opened the scoring at the 14:00 mark of the first quarter, Prestia followed at 12:57, and Lawna Henry's late goal made it 8-1 with 45 seconds left in the quarter.

The decisive stretch came in the first half, when Reinhardt paired efficient finishing with control of possession. The Eagles posted 23 draw controls and limited mistakes with just five turnovers, helping create a steady stream of chances. Reinhardt finished with 44 shots, including 37 on goal, and needed little time to answer Truett McConnell's attempts to settle into the game. After Marlo McBrayer scored early in the second quarter to make it 8-2, Marissa Davis answered at 12:28 and McElwaney scored off a Rakestraw assist at 10:39 as Reinhardt pushed the margin back into double digits.

The Eagles kept the pressure on after halftime. Lawna Henry scored early in the third quarter to make it 16-2, McElwaney added another at 6:32 for an 18-3 lead, and Grace Ashworth scored with nine seconds left in the quarter for a 22-3 advantage. Truett McConnell got all three of its goals from McBrayer, one in each of the first three quarters, but Reinhardt did not allow another goal in the fourth.

Lainey Byrne also contributed two assists, and McElwaney and Davis added one assist apiece as the Eagles turned strong ball movement into one scoring chance after another. Reinhardt recorded three saves defensively, while Truett McConnell goalkeeper work accounted for nine saves. The Eagles closed the afternoon with a 6-0 fourth quarter, highlighted by Casey Kidd's goal at 12:07, Ashworth's strike off a Byrne assist at 6:37 and Byrne's late finish with 1:05 remaining to complete the 28-3 final.