ROCK HILL, SC – Senior Alaina Girani recorded 17 saves Friday but the Winthrop lacrosse team struggled offensively as the Eagles fell 10-5 to the Liberty Flames at Eagle Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Liberty (2-0) got on the board early in only 1:34.  Winthrop responded with a goal from Lauren Morris less than three minutes later to tie the game and took the lead with 24:12 on the clock on a tally from McKenna Blick.  Liberty picked up the next two goals to go up 3-2 with 14 minutes remaining.

Blick scored her second of the half with 12:59 on the clock to draw the Eagles even.  The Flames regained the lead 25 seconds later.  Winthrop closed the half on a high note as Blick scored her third of the period send the game into the half tied at 4-4.
Winthrop (0-3) started the second half just as strong as it ended the first, scoring the first goal of the period.  Lauren Morris grabbed her second goal of the goal as Savanah Paton notched her second assist of the game to put Winthrop up 5-4 with 23:06 on the clock.  Unfortunately, for the Eagles, it was the last goal they scored.  Liberty tied the game with 21:21 on the clock and scored the game-winner just over five minutes later.  Liberty added four more goals to reach the 10-5 final.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
McKenna Blick led the Eagles with three goals while Lauren Morris scored twice.  Alaina Girani made a season-high 17 saves in the loss including 12 in the second half.  Liberty outshot the Eagles 42-14 and won both hustle categories; ground balls, 21-16 and draw controls 12-5.  Winthrop struggled on the clear Friday, converting only 16 of 25 clear attempts, turning the ball over 22 times.

WHAT'S UP NEXT
Winthrop hits the road for its next two contests.  The Eagles head to Elon on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game against the Phoenix.