VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. The Methodist women's lacrosse team fell shy of victory on Wednesday, losing to Virginia Wesleyan University. The Monarchs possessed a lead after three quarters but couldn't hold on, falling to the Marlins 14-13.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Virginia Wesleyan def. Methodist, 14-13
Records: Methodist 5-3, Virginia Wesleyan 2-6
Location: Birdsong Field; Virginia Beach, Virginia
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After allowing Virginia Wesleyan to score the first goal, the Monarchs sailed to a lead behind the tandem of Payton Jones and Keegan Foyles, as Foyles assisted Jones on back-to-back scores. When the Marlins drew even, it was Foyles and Jones who connected for a third time to pull Methodist ahead 3-2. Continuing to exchange goals with the Marlins, Kennedy Martin found the back of the net for Methodist's last two scores of the first quarter, keeping pace with Virginia Wesleyan for a score of 5-5.
- The Monarchs started off the second quarter strong, holding the Marlins scoreless for the first ten minutes while Kayla Nee assisted Jones and Mikayla Ramos on a pair of goals. Virginia Wesleyan answered with two quick scores of its own, retying the game at 7-7 before Nee gave the Monarchs a one-goal edge entering halftime.
- With Ashley Fuentes replacing Jem Golombeski in goal to start the third quarter, the Monarchs maintained their momentum, adding two more goals (scored by Ramos and Jones) in the first three minutes of the half to go up by three. The Marlins got one back before Methodist piled on two more (this time from Martin and Foyles) to take a four-goal advantage.
- Virginia Wesleyan scored the final goal of the third period, sparking a streak in which the Marlins scored six out of the final seven goals. Maddie Hagler scored Methodist's only goal of the fourth quarter, keeping the Monarchs ahead by two, but the Marlins scored three times in the final seven minutes to seal the win.
FAST FACTS
- With a season-high four assists and one goal, Keegan Foyles surpassed the 100-point mark of her collegiate career. She's now recorded 64 goals and 38 assists as a Monarch.
- Methodist won the ground ball battle with a 21-17 advantage and recorded fewer turnovers (23) than Virginia Wesleyan (31).
- Payton Jones and Kennedy Martin stuffed the stat sheet for Methodist, as Jones posted five goals, one assist, four ground balls and four caused turnovers, while Martin tallied three goals, four ground balls and four caused turnovers.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs will make another road trip on Saturday, visiting Rocky Mount, N.C. to take on North Carolina Wesleyan University at 1 p.m.