BELMONT, N.C. – The Lander women's lacrosse team suffered its first defeat of the season as it fell to Belmont Abbey 23-14 Saturday evening.

Lander drops to 2-1 overall while Belmont Abbey advances to 3-1.

The Bearcats were led by sophomores Alyssa Suchan and Emmy Peterson, who both had five goals and one assist each.

Although going up 1-0 off a goal from sophomore Emma Arifin with 26:44 to go in the first half, Lander would allow five consecutive goals to go down 5-1 with 20:39 to go in the first. A goal from sophomore Grace Walters would break up the Crusader's goal streak off a free position with 19:09 remaining. Lander would continue to fight in the first frame, getting as close as three goals of Belmont Abbey when Peterson scored with 2:26 to make it 11-8 Belmont Abbey. The Crusaders would take a 13-8 lead into the half.

Belmont Abbey would continue to pace the Bearcats, starting with five consecutive goals to begin the second frame of action. Lander would get within seven of the Crusaders in the second half after a goal from Suchan with 2:46 before a pair of goals from Belmont Abbey finished off the scoring for both teams.

Lander is back in action on March 3 as it travels to face Mount Olive.

#cLawsUp | @LanderWLAX