FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  The Monarchs went toe-to-toe with visiting Averett University in USA South Athletic Conference women's lacrosse action Wednesday afternoon, but the Cougars escaped with a 14-12 victory.

Averett scored five unanswered goals to start the second half to take a 10-7 lead but the Monarchs braved back to make it a one-score game at 11-10. The Cougars responded with three consecutive goals to give them a hard-to-overcome 14-10 lead with less than four minutes remaining.

Sarah Ewin led Methodist with four goals and an assist as well as a team-high four ground balls recovered and four caused turnovers. Despite the loss, Mary Ellen Kelliher was excellent in goal, setting a new career-high with 13 saves.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Averett def. Methodist, 14-12
Records: Methodist 1-5 (0-3 USA South), Averett 8-2 (4-0)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Part of the game's finally tally could be attributed to the difference in free position shots. The Cougars took 15 free position shots compared to seven for Methodist. Averett scored five free position goals, including three in the second half and the Monarchs scored three altogether.
• Trailing 7-5 exiting halftime, the Cougars turned the tide, scoring five times in a six-minute span to open the final period. Monti Hendrix's goal in a man-up situation ended the run midway through the half off an assist from Kaelyn Holland.
• Momentum tilted clearly towards the Monarchs when they reeled off two straight goals from Ewin and Lindsay Brennan to cut the deficit to 11-10 with less than seven minutes to play.
• However, the next three goals came in the form of daggers as the Cougars extended the lead to 14-10, their largest lead of the game. Averett draw control wins led directly to the three scores.
• There is no quit in this Monarch team with Sydney Bonner scoring twice in a minute towards the end of the game.
• In the first half, Averett tied the game at 4-all after goals from Ewin and Hendrix gave Methodist an early 4-2 lead but the Monarchs again countered with another 2-0 run.

STAT FACTS

• The free position shots differential was even more sizeable in the second half, an 8-2 difference. It coincided with Averett taking 21 shots to the Monarchs' nine over the final 30 minutes.
• Three different Monarchs finished the day with three points. Holland, Bonner, and Brennan each finished with two goals and an assist.
• Holland and Sam Short made their mark defensively with four ground balls recovered and two caused turnovers each.
• In addition to her two goals, Hendrix had four draw control wins, three caused turnovers, and scooped up two ground balls.
• Alixis Roccia led the Cougars with five points. She had two goals and three assists. Courtney DeLone led Averett with four goals.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs are home Saturday to take on Piedmont at 12 p.m in a USA South matchup
• Averett is home to play conference foe Salem College Saturday at 1 p.m.