FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist women's lacrosse withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally from Oglethorpe University to secure a 13–12 non-conference victory Saturday afternoon inside Monarch Stadium.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Oglethorpe, 18–9
Records: Methodist 3–2, Oglethorpe 0–4
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Oglethorpe wasted no time getting on the board, scoring less than 30 seconds into the opening quarter to grab a 1–0 lead. Methodist quickly settled in and responded with five unanswered goals. Freshmen Amadis Levasa and Alana Rabon each found the back of the net to give the Monarchs a 2–1 edge after the first period. In the second quarter, senior Layla Wiesenfeld scored twice and Levasa added her second goal of the afternoon, stretching the lead to 5–1 midway through the frame. The Stormy Petrels cut into the margin with a late goal before halftime, sending the teams into the break with Methodist leading 5–2.
- The Monarchs opened the second half with momentum as sophomore Rylie Sturgill netted her first goal of the contest to make it 6–2. Oglethorpe responded with three consecutive goals to trim the deficit to 6–5 and shift the pressure back onto the home side. Methodist answered in the closing minutes of the third quarter, as Sturgill, Rabon, and senior Cheyenne Burton each scored to cap a 3–0 run and extend the advantage to 9–5 heading into the final period.
- After Oglethorpe struck first in the fourth, Levasa and Sturgill each completed hat tricks to push the Monarch lead to 11–6. The Stormy Petrels, living up to their name, mounted a dramatic comeback with five straight goals to even the score at 11–11 with just over four minutes remaining.
- Methodist regained composure in the closing stretch. Sophomore Jenifer Ferreira broke the tie with a clutch goal, and freshman Abigail Fritzsche followed less than a minute later to give the Monarchs breathing room at 13–11. Oglethorpe made it a one-goal game in the final 90 seconds and earned one last possession, but Burton forced a critical caused turnover in the closing moments to seal the 13–12 victory.
FAST FACTS
- Levasa and Sturgill paced the offense with three goals apiece, while Rabon and Wiesenfeld added two each.
- Five Monarchs recorded assists, with Ferreira dishing out a career-high two helpers.
- Defensively, Kaylea Carter, Brooke Murrell, and Wiesenfeld each caused two turnovers to help preserve the win.
UP NEXT
Methodist remains at home Thursday, March 5, hosting Bridgewater College at Monarch Stadium. Opening draw is scheduled for 5 PM.
