FERRUM, Va. -- A strong scoring run in the first half lifted Ferrum to a 19-10 win over the Methodist women's lacrosse team on Friday afternoon.
 
Methodist (5-3, 0-2 USA South) recovered from an early 3-1 deficit to take a 4-3 lead midway through the first half as Cassie Walter scored consecutive goals to tie the contest at 3-3, and Hope Motahari gave the Monarchs a one-goal lead, 4-3, before Ferrum came charging back.
 
Julianne Bove answered Motahari's goal to tie the game at 4-4, and Arielle Boyd and Courtney Hamm each scored to give the Panthers (6-3, 3-1 USA South) a 6-4 lead. The Monarchs pulled back within one as Motahari and Walter scored goals sandwiched around a Bove tally to make it 7-6 with 7:50 left in the first half.
 
However, the Panthers reeled off the final four goals of the first half the first four goals of the second half, with three each coming from Bove and Shannon Brown,  to assume a 15-6 lead with 21:39 to play. The run proved decisive as MU and Ferrum matched each other with four goals down the stretch for the final 19-10 margin.
 
Emily Ewin made five saves in the cage in taking the loss, and Graceanne Gershner made 10 saves for the Panthers. Each team fired 28 shots and committed 13 turnovers. Methodist won 18 draw controls to 13 for the Panthers.
 
Walter led the Monarchs with four goals and added three draw controls. Motahari and Maddi Ronelli each scored twice, and Emily Brennen added a goal with two assists. Motahari also had five draw controls and a pair of ground balls.
 
Hamm had seven goals for the Panthers, and Brown scored five times. Catherine Vance added a goal and four assists. Audrey Ramsey had four draw controls, and Brown led the team with four ground balls.
 
The Monarchs are back in action on Saturday at Randolph at 10:00 am.