ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The High Point University women's lacrosse team battled with No. 19 Navy until the final whistle in a Sunday showdown as the Midshipmen edged the Panthers, 12-8.
In their home state,
Lily Trout netted her first collegiate multi-score game while
Reese Dowgiallo and
Esprit Cha had a goal and assist a piece.
Ava Welsh showed out in her roots as she had a career-high 17 saves and five ground balls.
SITE: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
SCORE: High Point 8, No. 19 Navy 12
RECORDS: High Point (1-3), Navy (5-1)
Head Coach Lyndsey Boswell: "Navy is a hard-working, resilient team and I was really proud of the way the team fought today. I believe that if we had more discipline in the details, the result would have been different. I'm proud of the fight we continue to show, and I am especially proud of the defensive unit and Ava's presence in the cage. We will get back to work tomorrow and be ready to go on Wednesday."
The Panthers gave the Midshipmen all they could handle. Down a goal heading into halftime, the High Point defense held Navy to four goals as Welsh set a new career-high 13 saves before halftime. The sophomore goalie was unstoppable in the crease while her defense — led by Maryland native
Julia Dustin's two caused turnovers and
Mandy Brockamp's three ground balls — helped keep the Mids off balance.
The offense followed with first-half goals from
Kate Prentice,
Allie Connally and
Reese Dowgiallo. Connally, who led the team with three points, had an assist as did Cha.
Navy opened the second half on a three-goal run, and then the Panthers ripped off a four-goal burst to knot the score at 7-all. Cha fought through defenders with a nifty score while Trout scored for the second time in as many games.
Shannon Smith followed with back-to-back goals as the junior attacker took it to the cage herself, while Connally found Smith as the shot clock expired with a minute left in the third quarter and the score tied up.
The Mids responded with five straights goals to open the final period. The Panthers scored with four minutes remaining off a Trout free-position goal.
Up Next: The Panthers host William & Mary in their home opener on Wednesday, March 5 at 5 p.m.
#GoHPU
