Women's Lacrosse | 3/1/2011 7:09:41 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Methodist battled with Ferrum lacrosse in the first conference game of the year, but lost 15-11 to the Panthers.

Methodist picked up the first draw control and Abby Harmon fed Amber Jurkovac for the first goal of the game. The Panthers came right back and scored 11 seconds later to tie the game at one. Harmon and Jasmine Stephens scored two unassisted goals to give Methodist the 3-1 lead through the first 10 minutes. After a Methodist goal was called back, Ferrum countered with five straight goals to take the 6-3 lead. The Monarchs' Ashlea Weems stopped the run with a goal with 7:25 left to play in the first half. Ferrum's Brooke Hewartson scored three goals in the final minutes before Methodist's Brittany Brockway got on the board to cut the lead to four at halftime.

Ferrum opened the second half with a goal, but the Monarchs rallied for three goals to move within two at 10-8. Both teams traded goals with Ferrum taking the 12-9 lead with 16:56 remaining. Methodist's Brittany St. Jacques and Jurkovac scored their second goals of the day to move within one at with 12:15 on the clock, but Ferrum went into stall mode and finished with the 15-11 win.

Harmon led the Monarchs with three goals and an assist. Stephens, Jurkovac, and St. Jacques scored two a piece with Weems and Brockway scoring one each.

Courtney Hamm scored six goals for Ferrum with Hewartson adding four.

Methodist's Emily Forrester made 12 saves in the game while Velena Taylor had five stops for Ferrum.

The Monarchs will take the road next week to face Berry on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Box Score