FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Jem Golombeski had a career-high 14 saves but visiting Averett University snagged the 16-10 win over Methodist women's lacrosse in USA South Athletic Conference Friday afternoon.

Averett jumped out to a 7-2 edge and took an 11-5 advantage into halftime, a lead that inevitably proved too large to overcome for the Monarchs.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Averett def. Methodist, 16-10
Records: Methodist 3-4 (1-2 USA South), Averett 4-4 (2-1)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Methodist opened the second half with a Mikayla Ramos score and a Taylor Mustian free-position goal to cut the deficit to 11-7 with 26:34 on the clock. However, Averett's Elizabeth Peasley put a huge dent in the Monarchs' comeback plans with consecutive goals, including one to put the Cougars up 13-7 with under 13 minutes to play.
• Peasley made life difficult for the Methodist defense. Early in the first half, Peasley recorded three goals in under a minute, singlehandedly turning a 4-2 game into a 7-2 Cougars' advantage. Her goals were part of a quick 4-0 run that featured Averett winning the four draw controls and scoring in the same possession.
• Jalessa Batchelor won the next draw control to slow down the Averett assault and Mustian scored a free position goal to put an end to the Cougars' 4-0 run. Mustian returned in the seven-minute mark of the first half with another score to cut the deficit to 9-5 but Averett scored the final two goals of the period for the 11-5 halftime lead.
• Methodist did reel off a 3-0 run to cut the deficit from 14-7 to 14-10 but goal No. 10 came from Alaijah Ward with 2:23 remaining in the game. Tia Marlinghaus had scored the other two goals in the run.
• Trailing 3-0 early, Ward put the Monarchs on the board with two straight goals, beating her defender and the goalie for unassisted scores. Peasley would win the ensuing draw control, kick starting the game-altering 4-0 Averett run.

MORE TO IT

• Ward and Mustian led the Monarchs with three goals each. Ward also had an assist to lead Methodist with four points.
• Ainsley McGinn's five ground ball recoveries were a team-high, followed by four from Kendall Cahill. Julee Delellis had a team-high five draw controls.
• The Methodist defense tightened up in the second half, limiting Averett to 16 shots after the Cougars took 26 shots in the opening period. 
• While ground balls (22 to 16) favored the Monarchs, the turnover differential (25 to 16) did not.
• Peasley finished with game-high totals of eight goals and 11 draw controls. She scored six of the Cougars' 11 goals in the first half, including four of the first seven.

UP NEXT
Methodist will look to even the score when they play the Cougars again on Thursday, April 8 with Averett hosting the 6 p.m. conference contest.