ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The Methodist women's lacrosse team saw its 2016 season end with a 19-6 loss to Meredith in the semifinals of the USA South Conference Tournament at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex.
 
The fourth-seeded Monarchs finish the season with a record of 8-8, marking the first time in program history that MU has finished .500 or better in back-to-back seasons. The Monarchs were 10-5 last season.
 
The Monarchs trailed by a single goal, 3-2, after Emily Creasy scored at the 13:27 mark of the first half before the top-seeded Avenging Angels (15-1) ripped off five straight goals to assume an 8-2 lead by the 7:57 mark. Victoria Doyle scored twice during the run, and Julie Capretti, Carlee Joseph and Katie Burnet all scored as well for Meredith.
 
Sareena Coleman and Sarena Pillow each scored for MU to make it 8-4 at the break, but five more goals from Meredith, including three from Burnet pushed the lead to 13-4 with 22:38 left in the game.
 
The Avenging Angels held a whopping 46-10 edge in shots. Emily Ewin made 14 saves in the cage for MU. Meredith also won 17 draw controls to nine for MU, and pressured the Green and Gold into 25 turnovers on the day.
 
Emily Brennen led MU with three points on two goals and an assist. Coleman scored twice and added a pair of ground balls and two draw controls. Madison Ronelli had three draw controls to lead the Monarchs.
 
For Meredith, Molly Miller had four goals and three assists for seven points. Burnet finished with five goals and an assist. Victoria Doyle chipped in two goals and three assists, and Capretti totaled a pair of goals and two assists. Victoria Doyle also had six draw controls, and Holly Hite scooped up seven ground balls. Burnet led the way with three caused turnovers.
 
Meredith advances to the championship game on Saturday where it will take on third-seeded Piedmont, which defeated No. 2 Greensboro, 15-10, in Friday's other semifinal.
 
 
 
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