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HIGH POINT, NC – The Winthrop lacrosse team fell 17-8 Friday afternoon to the top-seeded High Point Panthers in the semi-finals of the Big South Conference Tournament.

The Eagles close their second season of NCAA competition with an 8-11 record while High Point advances to play either Davidson or Longwood in the Big South title game.

"Being here as a second-year team was a great experience for us," head coach John Sung said.  "We know what we need to do to close the gap in the future."

Winthrop stayed close with the Panthers through the opening 15 minutes.  High Point grabbed the first two goals before Danielle Ellis got the Eagles on the board with an assist from Shannon Gallagher 3:12 into the contest.  After High Point scored the next two, Mary Accomando brought the Eagles within 4-2 with 20:15 left in the half.

The Eagles continued to limit High Point from going on an extended run.  The Panthers again scored the next two goals to go up 6-2.  Hayley Krause earned a free-position attempt and passed out to Abby Blevins who put it in the back of the next to bring Winthrop within 6-3 with 13:39 left in the half.  The Eagles continued to have chances but couldn't capitalize over the rest of the half while High Point put in four unanswered to take a 10-3 lead at halftime.

Turnovers proved costly for the Eagles early in the second half as High Point capitalized on three Winthrop mistakes to take a 13-3 lead with 24:26 on the clock. 

Winthrop responded, taking the next two goals.  Jenna Kasmarik converted a free-position attempt and then assisted on a goal by Sydney Cope.  The Panthers scored the next two to go back up 15-5 with 12:12 remaining.

The Eagles did not leave quietly as Kasmarik, Cope and Krause each scored a goal within a four-minute span to bring Winthrop within 15-8 with 6:44 on the clock.  The Panthers took a timeout after the three-goal burst by the Eagles and scored two more to reach the 17-8 final score.

Jenna Kasmarik recorded a team-high four points on two goals and two assists.  Freshman Sydney Cope also tallied two goals while sophomore Hayley Krause finished with one goal and one assist.  Sophomore goalie Camille King finished with seven saves.