Women's Lacrosse | 3/5/2014 2:33:00 PM

Box Score DEMOREST, Ga. -- Piedmont's women's lacrosse team outscored Methodist, 11-1, in the first half en route to a 16-4 win over the Monarchs at Walker Athletic Field on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Methodist (1-6, 0-1 USA South) actually struck first as Cassie Walter won the opening draw which led to Jessie Earp's unassisted goal at the 28:27 mark and an early 1-0 lead for the Monarchs. However, the Lions (6-1, 4-0 USA South) needed just 22 seconds to tie the game at one as Maggie McDaniel found Mckynsey Douglas for the equalizer at the 28:05 mark.
 
Neither team scored for nearly four minutes until PC took a lead it would never relinquish as McDaniel scored off a feed from Cahner Manns at the 24:22 mark for a 2-1 lead. Manns then scored off an assist from McDaniel at 21:54 to make it 3-1, and eight more tallies in the first period gave Piedmont an 11-1 lead at intermission.
 
In the second half, MU struck first again, this time on a Zhane' Ruffin free position shot 5:50 into the second half to make it 11-2, but an unassisted goal by Julianna Surgent pushed PC's lead back to 10 goals (12-2) with 23:33 on the clock. Hope Motahari pulled the Monarchs within single digits (12-3) one last time when she scored off a feed from Cassie Walter at the 16:59 mark, but three goals in succession by the Lions re-established their double-digit lead and they cruised to the win.
 
Piedmont nearly doubled up Methodist in draw controls won (14-8), in controlling possession. Methodist was 14-of-15 in clear attempts, while Piedmont was a perfect 11-for-11. Both teams picked up 14 groundballs, and Piedmont committed one fewer turnover (15) than Methodist (16).
 
Carly Haraka earned the win in the cage for Piedmont, making four saves with one goal allowed in the first half. Blake Forrest played the final 30 minutes and allowed three goals with three saves. Ashley Cannon was saddled with the loss, allowing 16 goals with four saves.
 
Ruffin led MU with a pair of goals, both coming on free position shots. In addition to her one goal, Motahari scooped up a team-high six groundballs and won a pair of draws. Walter finished with an assist, three groundballs and a pair of caused turnovers.
 
McDaniel led PC with seven points on four goals and three assists. Douglas finished with a pair of goals and two helpers, and Megan McDowell and Jenine Brideau each had a pair of goals and an assist. McDowell also posted a team-high three groundballs and three caused turnovers, and Manns had five draw controls.
 
The Monarchs return to action on Thursday when they play at Agnes Scott beginning at 1:00 pm.