COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's lacrosse team (1-0, 0-0 OAC) took to the field for the first time on Saturday, hosting Oberlin (0-1, 0-0 NCAC). It was a bitterly cold and snowy afternoon, making it hard to find much separation between the squads in the first half, but the Purple and White would eventually pull away when things warmed up in the second half, taking the game 23-17.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The game got off to a slow start as both teams adjusted to the wintry conditions. Capital put their first goal of the game in a little after the 13:30 mark courtesy of Ava Vendetti, answered by Oberlin just under a minute and a half later. Grace Osborn would score the Comets' second on a power play at the 8:45 mark. The Yeowomen followed with four straight to take a 5–2 lead. Osborn would then add another at 5:13, joined by Vendetti netting her second and third - both woman-up – at 3:15 and 2:35 to close the gap at 5-5. Oberlin answered again with just under a minute left to take a 6-5 lead into the first break.

Cap opened up the second quarter with another Grace Osborn goal, assisted by Andi Henry. After a one-score interlude from the other side, CU would score four in a row coming from Henry, Vendetti (Osborn; woman-up), Brenna Todd (Vendetti; woman-up), and Osborn (Henry), taking a 10-7 lead with 6:33 left in the half. The Yeowomen would then tie things up at 10-10 before the half with three straight scores. 

The Comets started to create some separation in the third quarter, outscoring Oberlin 6-3. It began with a three-goal run featuring woman-up goals from Osborn and Vendetti (Osborn) as well as an even-strength goal from Henry. Vendetti netted another at the 5:23 mark after a score from the other side. Henry and Vendetti would then double up following another lone Yeowomen goal. Oberlin put one more in to end the quarter but the damage had already been done as Capital held a 16-13 advantage going into the final 15 minutes. 

CU took advantage of Yeowomen yellow cards to start the fourth quarter, scoring three straight woman-up goals within the first minute. Oberlin found two answers about two minutes later but Capital rebutted with two of their own on behalf of Henry and Osborn (Henry).  The pair would put in another set in answer to the succeeding one-goal Yeowomen response, Henry's being on the power play. Oberlin's last answer came with 3:40 left in the game, but it was too little too late, with the Comets still six goals ahead and taking a 23-17 lead to the final horn.

THE NUMBERS
Grace Osborn was Capital's leading scorer with nine goals. Adding her two assists, she totalled 11 points, putting her past the milestone of 300 career points, now at 306. In the other areas of the field, she collected five draw controls, picked up four ground balls, and caused one turnover.

Ava Vendetti netted a career-high seven goals and dished out one assist to total eight points, tying her season points total from last year. She also recovered a career-high four draw controls, along with scooping up three ground balls, and causing one turnover.

Andi Henry had career-highs across the board with six goals, five assists, and 11 points, as well as seven caused turnovers, and six ground balls. She also secured three draw controls.

Brenna Todd put up one goal and one point, notching new career-highs with four draw controls and three ground balls as well. She also accounted for one caused turnover.

Leah Leno picked up two ground balls and caused two turnovers, both were career-highs.

Rounding out the defensive efforts were Riley Johnson (2 CT, 1 GB), Grace Wolfe (2 CT, 1 GB), Rylee Jarvis (1 CT, 1 GB), Holly Stoner (1 CT, 1 GB), Heather Stoner (1 GB), and Lily Bower (1 CT).

CAPITAL NEWCOMERS
The day marked the debut for two newcomers to the Capital team as freshmen Lily Bower and Alexa Krzynowek both made their first appearances for the Purple and White. 

UP NEXT
Capital will be back on their home turf on Wednesday, hosting a matchup with Centre. First draw is set for 5 p.m.