FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Facing the University of Lynchburg Hornets for the third consecutive season, the Methodist women's lacrosse team suffered a loss in its season opener at home on Tuesday afternoon, falling 15–4.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Lynchburg def. Methodist, 15–4
Records: Methodist 0-1, Lynchburg 1-0
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Monarchs scored the first two goals of the match, with Rylie Sturgill finding the back of the net on her first attempt just two and a half minutes in. Freshman Alana Rabon logged her first goal as a Monarch on the very next shot, which came with 8:43 to play in the opening quarter. From there on, the Hornets took 10 shots in the period, scoring four times while Methodist goalkeeper Victorianna Murray made a pair of saves inside the final two minutes to keep her team within two goals of Lynchburg.
- The Hornets added four to their total in the second quarter, while the Monarchs fired just two shots in the 15-minute span. Layla Wiesenfeld had the team's only shot on goal during the quarter, which came on a free position attempt with over eight minutes to go, but Lynchburg goalie Olivia Owings stepped up for her first save of the contest.
- Methodist was outscored 5–1 in the third and 2–1 in the fourth, with Rabon scoring her second goal of the match and Wiesenfeld netting her first score on the season.
FAST FACTS
- Murray finished with a career-high eight saves in her first collegiate start along with a team-best four ground balls.
- After Methodist's one-two punch to start the game, Lynchburg raised the intensity on defense. The Hornets held the Monarchs to just eight shots on the afternoon while attempting 29 of their own.
UP NEXT
Methodist will travel to Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Saturday, Feb. 14 for a noon match at Eastern Mennonite University.
