Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director

BREVARD, N.C. - Jezika Gunter and Hunter Denney each tallied hat tricks, while Micaiah Vacchiano added two goals as the Brevard College Tornados Women's Lacrosse Team (4-3, 1-1 USAS) earned its first USA South Conference victory, 10-5, over the Salem College Spirits (1-5, 0-3 USAS) at Ives-Leme Family Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Tornados took a 5-0 advantage into the half before the Spirits stormed back, cutting BC's advantage to 6-5. Brevard pulled away with four goals in the last eight minutes to secure its first conference victory of 2019.

Gunter and Denney led the attack for the Tornados in Sunday's matinee. Both found the back of the net three times for hat tricks, while Denney dished out an assist to Gunter. 

Vacchiano added two goals to BC's tally while doing solid work defensively. The junior midfielder grabbed a game-high 10 ground balls, causing six turnovers in the process. 

Salem was paced by a hat trick from Collette Vladmimery, who scored three goals on the afternoon. Spirits' goalkeeper Hannah Ostlund saved 12 shots, while Cara James snagged seven ground balls. 

BC opened the contest by scoring three goals in the first five minutes, as Kelly Wilkins, Denney, and Vacchiano all found the back of the net. 

Neither side could find the goal over the following 20 minutes of action before back-to-back Gunter goals gave BC a 5-0 lead heading into the intermission.

BC midfielder Denney scored just 32 seconds into the second half to push the Tornados' lead to 6-0. 

Salem did not give in, as the Spirits scored five unanswered goals over the span of 13 minutes, cutting BC's advantage to just 6-5 with 12:43 left in the contest. 

The Tornados were able to shut the door on Salem's comeback, scoring four-straight goals in the final 7:25 in the match. 

Hannah Scharf scored a power-play goal at the 7:25 mark followed by goals by Vacchiano, Denney, and Gunter, securing Brevard's 10-5 conference triumph. 

Brevard returns to action for back-to-back USA South road contests next weekend. The Tornados visit LaGrange College on Saturday, March 16 at 3 p.m. in LaGrange, Ga. before matching up with Huntingdon College on Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. in Montgomery, Ala. 

To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados'' on YouTube, follow 'Brevard College Tornados' on SoundCloud, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook. 

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