NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 10, St. Thomas 6
Records: Life U, 8-8 (3-3 SUN); St. Thomas 4-12 (2-4 SUN)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Life University women's lacrosse team advanced to the SUN Conference Tournament Semifinals following a 10-6 victory over the Bobcats of St. Thomas on Thursday night. The Running Eagles built a strong lead in the first period before putting the contest away in the third.
It was a hot start in the Sunshine State for the Life U offense. Roxie Beasley and Tori Wolf kicked off the scoring as the Running Eagles jumped out to a two-goal lead. The Bobcats offense responded midway through the first with its only strike in the period. Beasley struck once more and Sydney Matesevac added her name to the score sheet as Life U headed to the second period with a 4-1 lead.
The lead continued to grow as Hannah Leon capitalized on a man-up opportunity while Wolf scored her second of the contest just over three minutes later. St. Thomas pulled the contest back within reach with a pair of goals midway through the second. Neither team scored in the final five minutes of the period as the contest headed to half with Life U in front, 6-3. Keeper Abigale Eash boasted eight saves at the half time break.
In the third, the Running Eagles dominated both sides of the field. Eash and the defense held the Bobcats scoreless while Hannah Leon completed her hat trick and Jennifer Lopez found the back of the net.
Comfortably in front, Life U added one final strike as Reese Phipps became the sixth different Running Eagles to score in the contest. Though St. Thomas did find three goals in the frame, Life U closed out the 10-6 victory.
TURNING POINT:
--The Running Eagles dominated the third frame, taking a 9-3 lead into the final 15.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Hannah Leon: 3 goals, 1 assist, 2 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers
--Tori Wolf: 2 goals, 2 assists
--Roxie Beasley: 2 goals
--Sainabou Foon: 5 caused turnovers, 4 ground balls, 7 draw controls
--Abigale Eash: 13 saves
UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles take on #1 SCAD on Friday, May 1. in the Semifinals.
