RADFORD, Va. – Coastal Carolina women's lacrosse picked up the program's first win under new head coach Rachel Shuck Whitten with a 15-5 win over the Radford Highlanders in Radford, Va., on Friday afternoon. With the win, the Chanticleers improved to 1-1 on the young season, while the Highlanders remain winless at 0-3 with the loss.
 
The Chants' redshirt sophomore Kayla Downey led the offensive attack with four goals and one assist for five points on the day, while fellow sophomores Avery McIlwaine and Monica Manley chipped in with two goals apiece.
 
Defensively, Claire Martell recorded four saves while seeing just eight shots in 45 minutes of action between the pipes for the Chants, while sophomore defender Claudia Kelly caused two turnovers.
 
Radford was paced by Margaret Gleason with two goals, while River Rupert, Katie Carroll, and Grace Gleason each recorded one goal. On the defensive end for the Highlanders, Olivia Hunter recorded eight saves while facing 26 CCU shots.
 
Coastal Carolina raced out to a 6-0 lead in the first six minutes of action as Avery Snyder, Abi George, Hannah Close, McIlwaine, Downey, and Manley each recorded a goal in the early scoring surge. CCU ended the first quarter with all the goals needed with a 7-1 lead as McIlwaine tallied her final goal of the day.
 
The Chanticleers added three more goals in the second period as Downey scored back-to-back tallies followed by Sydney Tornetta's first career goal for a 10-1 advantage with 6:07 left until halftime. Radford's Carroll closed out the first half scoring with 50 seconds remaining on the game clock as CCU lead 10-2 at the intermission.
 
Coastal's Downey opened the second half scoring with 49 seconds expiring from the game clock followed by an own goal by the Highlanders to push the Chants' lead to 12-2. Manley finished the third quarter scoring with her second goal of the afternoon with 5:20 remaining on the clock.
 
Senior Sydney Fox and newcomer Riley Glackin (first career goal) finished the scoring for the Chanticleers in the final period as Margaret Gleason sandwiched a goal by Rupert to close out the scoring for the host team.
 
Coastal outshot the Highlanders 26-14 and held a 23-9 advantage in shots on goal. The Chanticleers won the draw control battle 15-7, while Radford attempted four free-position shots to Coastal's zero.
 
Coastal Carolina will remain on the road as the Chants will stop in Elon, N.C. to take on the Elon Phoenix in non-conference action on Sunday, Feb. 27. The opening draw is scheduled for noon ET. Coastal fans can follow the action at www.GoCCUSports.com.
 
For complete coverage of CCU women's lacrosse, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWLAX (twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.