HIGH POINT, NC – A big second-half comeback fell short for the Winthrop lacrosse team Sunday afternoon as the Eagles fell 17-10 to the High Point Panthers in the Big South Championship.

High Point improves to 15-4 on the year and receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  Winthrop finishes the 2019 campaign with an 8-11 mark.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Winthrop jumped out to the early 1-0 lead as Olivia Deaver scored an unassisted goal.  Hight Point responded only 15 seconds later and went on an 8-0 run, taking an 8-1 lead.  Mia Creighton halted the Panther run but High Point picked up five of the next six goals to hit a running clock.  High Point took a 14-4 lead into the break.

High Point extended its lead to 12 less than three minutes into the half before Winthrop came charging back.  The Eagles closed out the Panthers on the defensive end and went on a 6-0 run over a nearly 18 minute span to pull within 16-10 with 6:47 remaining.  Winthrop had a couple opportunities to keep the run going but couldn't put any more in the goal.  High Point added one more goal in the final minute to reach the 17-10 final.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Alaina Girani set a Big South finals record with 17 saves in the contest and tied her own record for saves in any tournament game.  Olivia Deaver finished with three goals as Lauren Morris added two goals and two assists.  McKenna Blick and Savanah Paton each scored twice.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Winthrop was represented by three student-athletes on the all-tournament team.  Alaina Girani earned a spot after making 26 saves over two games for the Eagles.  McKenna Blick finished with seven points on three goals and four assists to land a spot.  The last Winthrop spot was earned by Olivia Deaver who scored four goals and recorded one assist in two contests.