FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  For Monarch women's lacrosse, it was not an ideal way to start off play in the USA South Athletic Conference with a matchup against consecutive five-time defending conference champions Meredith College in dreary, rainy, cold weather. The visiting Avenging Angels prevailed over Methodist, 20-2, Wednesday afternoon.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Meredith def. Methodist, 20-2
Records: Methodist 1-3 (0-1 USA South), Meredith 8-2 (5-0)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Meredith scored in the opening minute and never looked back, the Avenging Angels scored seven goals in the first five minutes.
• Sarah Ewin gave the Monarchs' their first score midway through the second half, followed by a goal from Lily Eisenhart. Those two goals represented a closer second half score of 4-2 after a lopsided first half.
• After only six Meredith turnovers in the first frame, the Avenging Angels committed 11 in the second half, gifting the Monarchs with extra possessions. The Monarchs were also able to cut down the Meredith shot totals from 21 in the first half to 10 in the final frame.

STAT FACTS

• Mary Ellen Kelliher earned six saves in the net while also leading the team in ground balls recovered with three.
• Four other Monarchs recovered at least two ground balls, helping Methodist win in the area, 12-10. Monti Hendrix and Akili Jabulani had recovered two while also causing a turnover.
• Of the seven Methodist draw control wins, Eisenhart had three, Hendrix had two, and Kaelyn Holland had two, as well.
• For Meredith, Lilia Cruz led with five goals and four assists and Maya Flake had five assists.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs look to regroup and earn a conference victory Saturday on the road against Pfeiffer University at 1 p.m.
• Meredith is on the road to take on Mary Washington Saturday at 3 p.m.