Harrogate, TN - The Lady Railsplitters Women's Lacrosse started their 2023 season against North Greeneville University and came out on top with a score of 18-9.
 
Ali Van Der Ziel got the Railsplitters started with a wide-open drive to get her first of the game.  NGU struck back relatively quickly, but Van Der Ziel then answered with another goal making it 2-1 and giving her two goals.  NGU wasted no time tying the game up 2-2.  Van Der Ziel then found Chandler Bell to get her on the stat sheet and get the team up before getting her third and fourth (assisted by Bell), making the score 5-2.
 
Haleigh Barnett found herself a goal with an assist by Van Der Ziel, who then assisted Bell in getting the Railsplitters up by five.  Jaedyn Ryba and Jamie Small found themselves goals in the second quarter, making the score 9-6 before half.
 
Sage Leax led on the defensive end, making the Crusaders unable to find the back of the net for a while.  Leax led with two caused turnovers, while Jaedyn Ryba had five groundballs to get the ball on the offensive side.
 
The Railsplitters came out fiery in the second half and did not lead up, continuing to get goals and get themselves ahead of the Crusaders. Goals were happening for Van Der Ziel, Bell, Barnett, Ryba, and Sierra Landsman found herself on the stat sheet with a diving goal in the fourth.
 
The Railsplitters will be back at the Lacrosse Complex Saturday, February 11^th looking to be 2-0 against Lander University.
 
Ali Van Der Ziel set a New School Record with the most points in a single game.  She had 13 points on seven goals and six assists.
 
Notables:
Ali Van Der Ziel led with 7 goals
Chandler Bell had 4 goals
Jadeyn Ryba had 3 goals
Haleigh Barnett had 2 goals
Jamie Small and Sierra Landsman each had one