FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist women's lacrosse crafted another dominant outing, this time on Senior Day with a 21-6 USA South Athletic Conference victory over visiting North Carolina Wesleyan College Saturday afternoon.

The duo of Sarah Ewin (three goals and four assists) and Kaelyn Holland (six goals and one assist) led the Monarchs with seven points each. Sydney Bonner was right behind with six points from three goals and three assists.

Before the game, Methodist honored the team's three seniors -- Ewin, Holland, and Payton Clarke. Not only was the game Senior Day, it also had huge playoff implications as a loss could have kept the Monarchs out of the conference tournament entirely.

Instead, the Monarchs now have won three consecutive games and four of their last five, which places them in the sole position of the sixth seed in the league's East Division standings. With a win at Greensboro College Tuesday, Methodist could potentially leapfrog the Pride for the fifth seed. Only the top six teams in each division of the league qualify for the conference tournament.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. N.C. Wesleyan, 21-6
Records: Methodist 5-7 (4-5 USA South), Salem 3-12 (3-6)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarch offense was relentless in the first half, putting up 30 shots (and 13 goals) compared to just six shots by N.C. Wesleyan. The Methodist defense was just as persistent as it forced 28 N.C. Wesleyan turnovers and held the Battling Bishops to a 33 percent (eight-of-24) clearing rate in the game.
• Holding a slim 2-1 advantage early in the game, the Monarchs scored six straight goals to firmly seize control. In that 15-minute timespan, Holland scored four of the six goals.
• Methodist closed the first half out of a 4-0 run in the final eight minutes to take a 13-3 lead into halftime.
• Before Ali Cucinotta scored the final goal of the game with thirty seconds remaining, Methodist was on a 7-1 run in the second half. A Battling Bishops goal midway through the period was flanked by Monarch runs of 3-0 and 4-0.

NUMBERS

• Monti Hendrix's four goals and Lily Eisenhart's three goals are the only other Monarchs with multiple goals, besides the trio.
• Sam Short and Mary Ellen Kelliher led the Monarchs with five ground balls recovered while four other Monarchs scooped up four. Short also led the team with four caused turnovers.
• Hendrix had nine draw control wins, in addition to four recovered ground balls and two caused turnovers.
• As a team, Methodist was on outstanding, registering season highs or near season highs in several areas. The 33 ground balls recovered and 44 shots taken were both new marks. The 33 percent clearing rate with only eight successful clears for its opponent is by far a best while the 16 Methodist turnovers and 12 ground balls allowed to the Bishops rank in the top-five of performances.
• Millenia Crespo was still impressive despite allowing 21 goals. She had 17 saves, recovered six ground balls, and saved six of the 11 free position shots she faced.

SENIORS

• For her career, Ewin has 73 goals and 31 assists in 61 games. She is first all-time at Methodist with a career total of 96 caused turnovers.
• Holland has 110 goals and 32 assists in 58 games. She leads the team this season with 39 goals, which is also a career-high for Holland.
• In her first year of playing lacrosse, Clarke has appeared in seven games with three starts for the Monarchs.

UP NEXT

• Methodist is on the road to take on the Pride Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
• The Battling Bishops are home to play Averett Tuesday at 4 p.m. in a conference matchup.