FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University women's lacrosse played host to Southern Virginia University on Saturday, April 13, in a USA South Athletic Conference contest. A back-and-forth battle saw the Monarchs edge out the Knights 15-14.
 
After the game, Methodist honored its nine seniors on the team.
 
THE ESSENTIALS 
Final score: Methodist def. Southern Virginia, 15-14
Records: Methodist 10-2 (6-0 USA South), Southern Virginia 5-7 (3-3)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Following a goal by each side, seniors Payton Jones and Tia Marlinghaus registered the next two Monarch scores to give their team a 3-1 lead. A goal by Southern Virginia cut the Methodist advantage to one but then a score by Mikayla Ramos put the Monarchs back up by two.
• The Knights went on to record the next three goals, which includes two scores to close out the opening quarter, to put them in front for the first time. Soon after, Maddie Hagler knotted up the scoreboard, 5-5, with first Methodist goal of the second period. The tie did not last long as Southern Virginia score three in a row to go up 8-5. Goals by Jones and Ramos brought the Monarchs within one, 8-7, but with 17 seconds left until halftime the Knights found the back of the cage again.
• The third frame was won by Methodist as the Monarchs tallied four goals, while Southern Virginia scored one. The Methodist goals were recorded by Marlinghaus, Jones, Anna Tabarrini, and Layla Wiesenfeld.
• The Monarch momentum continued into the fourth quarter as scores by Kennedy Martin, Ramos, and Kayla Nee pushed the Methodist lead to 14-10. During the final six minutes, the Knights turned the tide in their favor and went on a four to one scoring run to get within one, 15-14, with 14 seconds left in regulation. Southern Virginia won the final draw control, and were in the Monarch's defensive zone, but could not register a shot before the clock reached zero.

FAST FACTS 

• This was Methodist's 10^th straight win, which a new program record.
• With a team-high four goals, Jones led the Monarch offense. Also recording multiple goals for Methodist was Ramos (3), Marlinghaus (2), and Nee (2), who also had the game-winner.
• Both sides finished with 25 total groundballs. Individually, Methodist' Meagan Cox led the field with a career-high seven GBs.
• The Monarchs win today was the first against Knights since the 2015 season.

UP NEXT 
Methodist will play Greensboro College, on the road, in its next USA South contest on Wednesday, April 17. The game is scheduled for 4 PM.