Lions fall to Cavaliers in non-conference action
The Mars Hill women's lacrosse team (1-1) was defeated in non-conference play by UVa-Wise (1-1) Saturday afternoon by a score of 19-5 in the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's lacrosse team (1-1) was defeated in non-conference play by UVa-Wise (1-1) Saturday afternoon by a score of 19-5 in the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.
The Cavaliers held a 9-4 advantage going into the half and exploded offensively, scoring 10 goals in the frame, including the first eight in a row. Carloline Earnshaw scored twice within 54 seconds to open the half. Goals by Kristin Gobbi and McKayla Grasham 27 seconds later extended the Cavaliers' lead to nine. To further their lead, Ellie Earnshaw scored the natural hat-trick, followed by another goal from Caroline Earnshaw to run the lead to 17-4.
Kiersten Foust scored the lone Lions' marker of the half with 9:23 remaining. It was her eighth goal of the season. In the final 6:07, UVa-Wise scored twice to seal the 19-5 win.
The Lions were outshot 22-3 in the second half.
UVa-Wise jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening minute of play, but Victoria Eckard's first of the season and of the game cut the deficit to one. The Cavaliers scored the next five goals to balloon their lead to 7-1 with Gobbi netting two in that span. Eckard's second of the contest pulled the Lions within five, but two quick goals from the Cavaliers put them up 9-2 with 10:45 left in the half.
The Lions closed out the half by scoring two straight, both from the stick of Molly Tobias. Maria Fabrizio picked up assists on both tallies.
Elsa Girardo made four saves in the win while Gini Joy suffered the loss, allowing eight goals on 11 shots.
The Lions travel to Spartanburg, South Carolina for their first road game of the season on Tuesday, February 26th when they take on Converse. Action is slated for a 4 p.m. start.