Reinhardt rolls past Tennessee Wesleyan 21-8, advances to AAC championship game

Waleska, Ga. - Reinhardt broke the match open in the first quarter and never let Tennessee Wesleyan back into it, defeating the Bulldogs 21-8 in the AAC Tournament semifinals Friday at Ken White Field. The Eagles seized control with an 8-1 first quarter, led 13-2 by halftime and used a six-goal third quarter to put the result out of reach.

The decisive stretch came early. Izzy Prestia opened the scoring at the 14:00 mark of the first quarter, and Hayley Rakestraw followed with a free-position goal 35 seconds later for a 2-0 lead. After Tennessee Wesleyan briefly answered, Reinhardt kept building separation. Emma Perritte scored during the Eagles' first-quarter surge to make it 7-1 with 5:50 left, part of a dominant opening 15 minutes that set the tone.

Perritte finished with five goals and one assist to lead Reinhardt, while Prestia added four goals and four assists in one of the team's most complete attacking performances of the season. Reinhardt totaled 21 goals on 42 shots and recorded 15 assists, showing the balanced ball movement that helped create quality chances throughout the afternoon. Mary Grace Lewis started the second-quarter scoring off an assist from Lainey Byrne, and Miranda Petrillo's goal with 32 seconds left in the half sent the Eagles into the break with an 11-goal advantage.

Reinhardt also controlled key possession areas. The Eagles finished with an 18-9 edge in draw controls, collected 18 ground balls and committed only seven turnovers. That pressure limited Tennessee Wesleyan's ability to settle in offensively and helped Reinhardt keep the game tilted in its favor across all four quarters. Hayley Rakestraw opened the third quarter with another goal, this time off an assist from Marissa Davis, and Perritte later scored again off a Prestia feed as the lead grew to 19-4 by the end of the quarter. Lawna Henry added a late third-quarter goal off an assist from Jessica Lucas.

Tennessee Wesleyan got two goals and two assists from Olivia Downey and two goals and one assist from Elizabeth Pluta, but Reinhardt's defensive effort and early margin were too much to overcome. Goalkeepers Madison Hasty and Katie Musulman combined for seven saves for the Eagles. On the other side, Bulldogs goalkeeper Rylee Brendlinger kept the score from climbing even higher with 15 saves over 60 minutes.

Chelbi Mcelwaney and Grace Ashworth scored in the fourth quarter to push Reinhardt's total to 21 before Tennessee Wesleyan added four late goals. The victory sends the Eagles into the AAC Tournament championship game, which they will host Cumberlands at 12pm on Saturday, April 25th.