FAIRFAX, Va. – The St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse team used a impressive performance to take a 16-8 victory over George Mason on the road Saturday afternoon for a key Atlantic 10 win. The Bonnies were led by hat tricks from senior Grace Hollenbeck as well as freshmen Gracie Williams and Riley Milligan.
 
St. Bonaventure (8-7, 4-3 A-10) jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished the advantage, leading wire-to-wire while fending off multiple comeback runs from the Patriots (6-8, 2-5 A-10). The visitors' 16 goals were the most they have ever scored in a game at George Mason and helped lock down a third win out of the last four meetings for SBU in the series.
 
All eyes were on Williams early in the contest as she scored two unassisted goals on dodges in the first quarter. Senior captain Brooke Piper and classmate Megan Schillinger each tallied free position scores in the quarter as well, but the Patriots tallied two free position goals of their own to keep Bona's lead at just 4-2 after 15 minutes of action.
 
Hollenbeck notched her first of three goals to open the second quarter, working off an assist from fellow senior Rylee Gonzalez. Though the hosts continued to attack, the Brown and White boasted more firepower and continued to stretch the lead. After Williams completed her hat trick midway through the quarter, Hollenbeck and Milligan each found nylon to close the half at a score of 8-4.
 
Aside from back-to-back George Mason goals coming out of the break to gain momentum, the second half was all Bonaventure's. The visitors caught fire midway through the third quarter as Milligan, Piper and sophomore Sidney Van Tassel scored three straight goals in under a minute and a half of game time.
 
Following a free position score from the Patriots' Kate Anders, SBU then rattled off five more goals in a row during the fourth quarter to confidently seal the victory.

Hollenbeck and Milligan both completed their hat tricks during that stretch while Van Tassel and Schillinger buried their second goals. Gonzalez also added her third point of the day with a goal to go along with her two previous assists.
 
Sophomore goalie Judy Mahoney made five saves in a full 60 minutes of action between the posts.
 
GAME NOTES

• Seven different Bonnies scored multiple points in the contest: Gracie Williams (3G-1A), Megan Schillinger (2G-1A), Rylee Gonzalez (1G-2A), Riley Milligan (3G), Grace Hollenbeck (3G), Sidney Van Tassel (2G) and Brooke Piper (2G).
• Williams recorded a career-high four points with her fourth straight multi-point game. She has registered 12 points over the last four A-10 games and now has 19 for the year.
• SBU out-shot George Mason, 38-24, with a 22-9 mark in shots on goal.
• The Bonnies controlled 16 draws to the Patriots' 10. Schillinger led the visitors with six draw controls
• SBU went a near-perfect 13-for-14 on clearing attempts.
• The Brown and White caused eight turnovers in the contest, led by senior captain Brit Colangelo's team-high of three. Colangelo also had three groundballs while freshman Brooke Owens had a career-high of four. Senior Kate Hennessey also had three groundballs and two caused turnovers.

 
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH LEIGHANN STAUFFER
"I'm really proud of this team and the way they showed up today. From the sideline to the field, their energy, focus and commitment to each other was felt from the first whistle. When we play connected like that, we're tough to beat."
 
UP NEXT
The Bonnies will remain on the road next week, facing off with La Salle on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
 
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