GREENWOOD –
Brooke Kelly's six goals led Lander to its first win of the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon at Van Taylor Stadium over Converse, 18-11.
Kelly, who tied her career high in goals scored, set a new career high with eight points for the Bearcats (1-1).
Ella Benson,
Mickey Burnett,
Amelia McCauley,
Caroline Nicholson and
Izzy Olson all netted two for Lander – the freshman Nicholson's were the first of her career.
Kylie Fragala and
Sophie Warren each scored once for their first goals in 2025.
Autumn Huskey led the defensive charge for the Bearcats with six caused turnovers and six ground balls. Kelly had four caused turnovers and a team best seven ground balls while McCauley caused three turnovers and
Curran Penot, two.
Kelly got the Bearcats on the board 1:35 into the game after an early Converse score. Burnett made it 2-1 Lander 25 seconds later before the Valkyries (0-2) tied it back up at two apiece.
The Blue and Gold then went on a 5-0 scoring run that started with consecutive McCauley scores to gain some breathing room and eventually led 8-4 after the opening quarter.
Olson got things going in the second quarter off a feed from Kelly – her second assist of the day.
The Valkyries responded four minutes later but the Bearcats also had a response in the form of three unanswered goals, capped off by Nicholson's first collegiate score to bring their lead to 12-5 with 1:05 left in the half.
Lander led 12-6 after 30 minutes.
The teams traded goals to open the second half, bringing the score to 14-8 Lander midway through the third.
Kelly's fifth of the game made it 15-8 with 5:28 to go in the quarter and Nicholson's second – a free-position strike – gave the Bearcats a 16-9 lead going into the final quarter.
Each side scored twice over the last 15 minutes as Kelly capped the scoring with 22 seconds left.
Lander stays at home this Wednesday (Feb. 12) for a matchup versus Anderson (S.C.). Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Van Taylor Stadium.
