Due West, SC- A strong second half push by the visiting Lees-McRae Bobcats grounded the Flying Fleet Thursday in women’s lacrosse action. The Bobcats put up 12 second half goals to Erskine’s 6 to take the 17-16 victory. With this loss, the Fleet fall to 0-15 and 0-5 in conference play while the Bobcats gain their first win of the season improving to 1-5 and 1-1.
Thursday afternoon’s game started very evenly. The visiting Bobcats were the first to strike as Jessica MacConnell found the back of the net after only 1:30 of play. But Erskine soon answered as Hillary Henry scored four minutes later. The teams continued to swap goals until the 12:22 mark in the first half. At this point, the game was tied at five. Erskine picked up the intensity and closed the half with five straight goals, concluding with a last second goal by Lisa Kmonicek, taking a huge 10-5 advantage into the break.
Erskine came onto the field radiating with confidence the second half while Lees-McRae came out of the huddle with a new found fire. The Bobcats did not waste any time and scored within the first minute of the second half. Erskine answered a minute later, but the visitors would bounce right back with a 7-1 run to regain control of the match 13-12.
The Fleet caught a break as the Bobcat goalkeeper bobbled a loose ball and let it slip into the net to tie the score at 13. With renewed hope Erskine struck again to take the lead as Jaclyn Glendenning put Erskine up 14-13.
Lees-McRae responded with a 4-0 run, including three from Emily Guenthner, to take back control for the final time with only 3:35 left to play. Erskine desperately tried to get back into the game, but could not overcome the deficit in time.
Erskine’s Alesia Jerrells led the charge for the Fleet on Thursday as she recorded 4 goals and 4 assists. Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Overley picked up 16 saves on the day.
Lees-McRae’s Guenthner led all scorers with 6 goals while the Bobcats out-shot the Fleet 43-27. Goalkeeper Martha Peacock picked up 8 saves Thursday.
Erskine will have a week to rest up before they play their last home game next Wednesday against Limestone College. Game time is set for 6:00 PM.
