BELMONT, N.C. – The Lander women's lacrosse team extended its program-record winning streak to six games in dominant fashion on the road Saturday against Belmont Abbey by a 15-7 final score.
It was a fairly balanced effort for the Bearcats (6-1) as eight different players registered a goal at Alumni Field.
Brooke Kelly had the team high with four, and four Bearcats scored twice:
Ella Benson,
Mickey Burnett,
Kylie Fragala and
Amelia McCauley.
Izzy Olson,
Kayla Smith and
Sophie Warren all contributed one goal.
Autumn Huskey put together another strong defensive performance with five caused turnovers, five ground balls and a draw control against the Crusaders (2-3).
The first quarter seemed to indicate a defensive battle was ahead as the score read 2-1 Belmont Abbey after 15 minutes. Kelly scored the lone Bearcat goal in the quarter, swooping in from behind the net and going between the Crusader keeper's wickets at the 5:38 mark of the first.
Lander quickly changed that narrative, however, as it outscored the hosts 7-2 in the second quarter for an 8-4 halftime lead.
Fragala evened the game at two on a bit of a circus shot after plucking Smith's free-position attempt – which was saved – out of the air and pushing it past the Belmont Abbey goalie.
After the Crusaders went back up 3-2, Burnett tied it again at three, and McCauley scored back-to-back goals to make it 5-3 Bearcats with 5:39 left in the half.
Warren increased the advantage to 6-3 before Benson brought it to 7-4. Smith converted her second free-position chance just before the halftime buzzer for a four-goal lead.
It was much of the same in the third quarter as Olson quickly pushed the Lander advantage to 9-4 1:05 into the second half. Benson – from the free-position slot – added her second of the day a minute later for a six-goal margin.
Burnett and Kelly scored their second goals of the game to make it 12-4 Bearcats with 8:40 to go in the third. Fragala matched the Lander tally with her jersey number with the 13th goal of the afternoon – the team's third free-position goal.
In all, Lander enjoyed a 7-0 run between the second and third quarters.
After Belmont Abbey slightly ate into Lander's lead, cutting it to 13-6, Benson found Kelly late in the third for the Bearcats' fourth woman-up goal and a 14-6 score after three quarters.
Kelly closed Lander's scoring with 10:40 left in the game.
Of note, freshman
Faith Strickland made her first collegiate appearance in goal during the fourth quarter and got her first save.
The Blue and Gold return home to face No. 3 Florida Southern at Van Taylor Stadium on Saturday (March 8) in an 11 a.m. start.
