CATONSVILLE, MD – Shannon Gallagher netted four goals Saturday afternoon as the Winthrop lacrosse team battled UMBC for a 7-6 victory, snapping a two-game losing skid.
With the victory the Eagles finish their non-conference slate with a 9-2 record and will open conference play next Saturday, March 26 at Radford. UMBC falls to 5-3 on the year.
Winthrop went on the offensive early in the first half, earning multiple scoring opportunities. Shannon Gallagher was able to find the net twice in the first 10 minutes for the Eagles while the Retrievers netted one and Winthrop led 2-1 with 21:34 on the clock.
Abigail Blevins gave the Eagles a two-goal cushion with 14:30 remaining in the half but UMBC pulled back within one with just over 11 minutes left in the half. The final 11 minutes went by scoreless and the Eagles took a 3-2 lead into the break.
Gallagher got the Eagles off to a fast start in the second half, scoring only 55 seconds into the period. Katie Clark scored just over four minutes later to give Winthrop a 5-2 lead. The Retrievers fought back scoring the next three goals to tie the contest at 5-5 with 13:25 remaining.
Gallagher scored her fourth of the contest with 10:24 on the clock to give Winthrop another one-goal edge. Abigail Blevins gave the Eagles a little breathing room, netting her second of the game with 7:54 left in the contest, putting Winthrop up 7-5. Less than a minute later, UMBC pulled back within one.
Over the final six minutes of the contest the ball went up and down the field with neither squad able to get a shot before the Retrievers got a shot off with 35 seconds left that went high. Winthrop grabbed one final ground ball with 12 seconds left to seal the victory.
Gallagher was perfect on the afternoon, netting her four goals on four shots. Katherine Judge led the Eagles in both draw controls with three and ground balls with four. Alaina Girani finished the game with 10 saves while allowing the six goals.
UMBC led the Eagles on shots, 25-20, but Winthrop won the ground ball and draw control battles. The Eagles were 1-for-3 on free-position shots while the Retrievers were 0-for-4.
