LYNCHBURG, VA – The Winthrop lacrosse team committed 25 turnovers Saturday as the Liberty Flames downed the Eagles 12-11, ending Winthrop's 10-game winning streak.
With the loss, the team's first since March 3, the Eagles fall to 11-4 overall and 4-1 in the conference. Liberty improves to 11-4 overall and 4-1 in the Big South.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Liberty netted the first goal just under five minutes into the contest but the Eagles responded with four straight tallies, two from the crosse of
Allie Yeager and one each from
Katie Clark and
Nicole Beatson.
The teams traded the next four goals as Winthrop continued to lead by three with less than nine minutes remaining in the half. The Flames took some momentum into the break, scoring three times in the final 5:26 to enter the half tied 6-6.
Winthrop regained the lead early in the second half, scoring twice it the opening 3:06 of the period. Liberty responded with three goals in the less than two minutes to take a 9-8 lead with 24:35 reamining.
The Eagles took the next two goals to take a 10-9 edge. After seven goals between the two squads in the first 10:29 of the half, scoring slowed considerably. The Flames took the next two tallies, going back up by one with 13:44 on the clock.
Clark tied the game at 11-11 with just over four minutes remaining. Liberty regained the lead only 36 seconds later. Winthrop had an opportunity in the final seconds but couldn't find the back of the
net, falling 12-11.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Alaina Girani faced 45 shots from the Flames and recorded a career-high 20 saves in the loss.
Nicole Beatson scored five of the Eagles' 11 goals and added one assist.
Katie Clark,
Allie Yeager and
Kristen Shriver each scored twice with Clark and Shriver each picking up an assist.
Liberty dominated the offensive chances, outshooting the Eagles 45-21. The Flames edged Winthrop on draw controls 13-12 and dominated ground balls 31-15. The Eagles struggled on clears, turning the ball over eight times on 25 clear attempts.
WHAT'S UP NEXT
Winthrop plays its final regular season home contest Wednesday evening, hosting the High Point Panthers at 7 p.m. at Eagle Field.
