FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Hosting the Vikings of Berry College in the first game of the season, the Methodist women's lacrosse team put forth a strong effort in what became an intense battle on Sunday. The Monarchs took their first lead in the fourth quarter, but Berry prevailed, breaking a tie in the final minute of play for a final score of 11-10.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Berry def. Methodist, 11-10
Records: Methodist 0-1, Berry 3-0
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- With a slow start on offense, Methodist was held scoreless during the first quarter, while Berry found the back of the net twice. Mikayla Ramos got things going with a goal early in the second quarter, and after another Berry score, Methodist's Kayla Nee added to the Monarchs' total. In the final minute of the first half, Tia Marlinghaus found a cutting Layla Wiesenfeld, who sent the ball sailing by the Berry goalkeeper to give Methodist its third goal of the half.
- Trailing 5-3, the Monarchs scored the first two goals of the second half – one for Payton Jones and another for Marlinghaus – to tie the match at 5-5. Each team secured one more goal during the third period, sending the game into the final quarter with the score tied at 6-6.
- Berry quickly netted the first score of the fourth, with just over a minute elapsing off the clock. On the other end of the field, Rosa Williams returned fire with a spectacular shot that brought the crowd to its feet. Williams, with her back facing the net, received a pass from Jones, then delivered a no-look, underhand strike from her right side that tied the score at 7-7.
- The Monarchs won the next draw control, then quickly got the ball into the stick of Kennedy Martin, who extended Methodist's lead with a goal just 11 seconds after the one scored by Williams. Methodist conceded three-straight goals to the Vikings, but then answered with scores by Ramos and Jones to tie the game once again, this time at 10-10.
- With 45 seconds remaining in regulation, Berry's Molly Cross snuck behind the Monarch defense and produced the winning goal for the Vikings.
FAST FACTS
- Payton Jones led the Monarchs in points (4), scoring two goals while assisting on two others.
- On defense, reigning USA South Defensive Player of the Year Kennedy Martin rounded up five groundballs and had a game-high four caused turnovers.
UP NEXT
Methodist is away from home for its next contest, traveling to Lynchburg for a bout with the Hornets on Saturday at 4 p.m.
