GREENWOOD – The Lander women's lacrosse team extended its winning streak to five games on Sunday morning at Van Taylor Stadium in a 14-4 win over Palm Beach Atlantic. The five consecutive wins is a program record for the Bearcats (5-1).
Brooke Kelly had four goals and four draw controls to help guide the offensive attack.
Mickey Burnett added three goals for the fourth straight game, and
Kayla Smith had a career high three goals.
Izzy Olson scored twice, and
Ella Benson and
Sophie Warren had one each.
Kara Krusbe saved 9 of 13 shots for a .692 save percentage while earning her fifth win in goal, and
Kaia Morey caused three turnovers on defense.
Olson got things underway 3:39 into the first. Kelly followed four minutes later for a 2-0 lead.
Kylie Fragala found
Sophie Warren for the third Bearcat goal with 3:25 left in the quarter as Lander carried a 3-0 lead into the second quarter.
Kelly ended a brief scoreless spell for both sides 6:19 into the second before Smith converted a free-position opportunity with five minutes remaining in the half for a 5-0 lead.
Burnett found the back of the net for her first with two minutes to go; Lander led the Sailfish (1-1) by a 6-2 halftime score.
Olson and Smith – on a free-position attempt – made it 8-2 six minutes into the second half. Smith completed her hat-trick with 5:23 left in the third on another free-position strike to increase the Bearcat advantage to 9-2.
Kelly had back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter, and Burnett sandwiched a pair of scores around
Ella Benson's to cap the scoring with 3:09 left in the game –
Amelia McCauley assisted on goals 12 and 13.
The Bearcats will be on the road in Belmont Abbey this Saturday (March 1) in a 3:30 start.
