WISE, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Women's Lacrosse Team (0-1) opened up the 2026 season with a neutral site showdown against the University of Charleston (W.Va.) (1-1) Sunday afternoon. The Golden Eagles defeated the Wasps by a 0-0 final scoreline.

The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Charleston (W.Va.) 15, Emory & Henry 4
LOCATION – Wise, Virginia
VENUE – Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (0-1, 0-0 SAC); Charleston (W.Va.) (1-1, 0-0 MEC)

How It Happened
- Emory & Henry opened the scoring at the 11:41 mark when junior attack Bethany Beecher (Roanoke, Va.) found junior attack Avery McHargue (Weaverville, N.C.) who beat the Charleston goalie to give the Wasps the early 1-0 lead. The Golden Eagles responded with five consecutive goals to take a 5-1 advantage after the first quarter.
- Charleston scored another to push their lead to 6-1, but E&H put an end to the run with 10:13 on the clock when senior midfielder Justyce Jones (Jacksonville, N.C.) converted a free-position shot on the man-up advantage to cut the deficit to 6-2. The Golden Eagles tallied the final four scores of the half to take a 10-2 margin into the halftime break.
- McHargue was first on the board in the third quarter, scoring unassisted to make it 10-3. Jones followed suit a minute and half later on the player-up as she buried a shot unassisted and the score stood at 10-4. Charleston would go on a 6-0 run over the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth to push the margin out to 16-4. Graduate student attack Mary Martinez (Estado de Mexico, MEXICO) scored the final goal of the contest with 8:46 remaining to run the score to its final at 16-5. 

Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Jones paced the Wasps with two goals, two ground balls, five draw controls and four caused turnovers. McHargue added a pair of goals on her lone two shots of the afternoon.
- Freshman goalie Ella James (Roanoke, Va.) finished with six saves while fellow freshman Madison Weaver (Forest, Va.) recorded six saves of her own in relief.

Charleston Individual Leaders
- Hayden Slinkard finished with two goals and six assists while three other Golden Eagles had two goals apiece.
- Rachel Pongonis made one save in the first half while Kaylee Sullivan played the final 30 minutes in relief. 

Up Next
- The Wasps return to Wise on Wednesday when they take on Southwest Virginia rival UVA Wise. First draw is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. from Carl Smith Stadium. 

--E&H--