Second half surge pushes Mars Hill past Lander

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's lacrosse team (2-2) downed Lander (2-1) by a score of 13-9 Saturday afternoon.

With the game tied at 5 after 30 minutes of play, the Bearcats struck twice midway through the second to take a 7-5 advantage.  Goals from Kasey Bronco and Alyssa Suchan provided Lander the two-goal advantage with 16:57 remaining in the contest before the Lions began their comeback bid.

Mars Hill reeled off seven straight goals, led by Maria Fabrizio's hat-trick.  She added an assist for four points in the run.  Sydney Joyce netted two goals while Camryn Marcey and Maria Fabrizio each added one.

Lander pulled within four, scoring two of the final three goals of the contest, however, their push was too little, too late.

The Bearcats opened the game on a 3-1 run with Emmy Peterson scoring two.  Peterson led the Bearcats offense with five points (3g, 2a).  The Lions tied the game at three following back-to-back goals from Molly Tobias and Kiersten Foust just 22 seconds apart.  Suchan reestablished the Bearcats' lead to two with her first two tallies of the contest.

Mars Hill ended the first half on a 2-0 run as Maria Fabrizio and Foust knotted the game at five.

Fabrizio led all players with six points (3g, 3a) followed by Foust (2g, 2a) and Rebecca Dallman's (1g, 3a) four points.

Gini Joy made seven saves in the win.

The Lions return to action on Saturday, February 22 versus Lees-McRae the home contest will begin at 12 p.m. inside the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.