Nikki Ponce became Eastern’s single season try leader leader with four first half tries in a 52-0 shutout against Western Kentucky Saturday.

Ponce recorded her 17th try of the season and 85th point, which beats the mark of 14 tries and 70 points accumulated by Mary Archer last season.

Ponce wasted no time tying the record with the Panthers’ first try of the game just 28 seconds into the game. She picked up the ball after Eastern stole the opening kickoff to put Eastern on top 5-0.

Within 10 minutes of Eastern’s first score, the Panthers had already climbed to a 24-0 lead with tries from Archer, Ponce and Amber Logsdon. Jamie Buenzow also completed two conversions.

Eastern continued to build its lead after Robyn Harris scored her first collegiate try halfway through the half. Ponce then added two more tries with two Buenzow conversions to give Eastern a 45-0 first half lead.

After a high-scoring first half from the Panthers, they would only tack on one more try from Katie Folliard, which was also her first collegiate try. Buenzow kicked in her sixth conversion in eight attempts for a final score of 52-0.

Buenzow’s six conversions brought her to 26-48 on the season, which beats her own single-season record of 23.

Folliard and Harris picked up their offense with the absence of senior Becky Carlson, who sat out with an injury.

For the second consecutive week, senior captain Kate Taake sat out and was replaced by Brittany Brown, who filled in nicely with six tackles to lead the team. Desi Pence and Marlise Davidson each added five tackles.

Eastern will play its final game of the season this weekend against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Furman University.