MACON, Ga. — In a hard-fought Big South Conference Championship, top-seeded Mercer University edged second-seeded High Point University, 14-11, in a back-and-forth final at Five Star Stadium.
Reese Dowgiallo,
Ava Grandi and
Ava Welsh were named to the Big South All-Tournament Team, while
Gracie Vickery's career-high eight draw controls propelled her to 100 career draw wins.
SITE: Five Star Stadium
SCORE: High Point 11, Mercer 14
RECORDS: High Point (8-10), Mercer (13-6)
Head Coach Lyndsey Boswell: "I'm really proud of this group. We faced a lot of adversity throughout the first part of the season, and it led to a cohesive team that cares so much for one another. A few things didn't go our way today, but I'm really proud of the grit and class our team showed. We will be back, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the returning group."
Less than two minutes in, the Panthers scored the championship's first goal when Grandi fired in her first of three via
Anna Checkosky. The Bears responded with a pair, but then High Point netted back-to-back-to-back goals thanks to scores from
Lily Trout,
Anna Mullikin and
Ella McKay.
Mercer scored two straight to end the first quarter knotted at 4-all. Dowgiallo and Grandi opened the second frame with consecutive goals, and then the Bears netted a trio to take the 7-6 lead at half time.
The Panthers tied the score, again, when
Kate Prentice and
Bella Germani fired in shots — dished out to them from Dowgiallo and Trout in that order — at 8-even with just under 11 minutes in the third quarter.
Mercer went ahead by one, but then
Mairin Kelly zipped in a goal, via
Jaidyn Donley, to tie it again at 9-all midway through the third quarter. The Bears responded with three straight goals to take a 12-9 lead into the final frame.
Dowgiallo cut into the deficit when
Shannon Smith hit her in stride to pull back within two goals as under 14 minutes remained. The Bears answered with a pair followed by a seven-minute scoreless stretch, which carried until Grandi netted her first collegiate hat trick with 3:32 on the clock.
Grandi's goal was the last of the championship as the rookie's three goals, two ground balls and a caused turnover led the Panthers. Vickery paved the way for the draw unit with a career-high eight draw controls as freshman Mullikin had two ground balls and draw controls, and a caused turnover.
Tatum Mehring had a team-high three ground balls, while
Julia Dustin led the team in caused turnovers as she added two two ground balls.
#GoHPU
2026 Big South Women's Lacrosse All-Tournament Team
Ansley Walters, Mercer (MVP)
Caroline Glus, Mercer
Mackenzie Ward, Mercer
Fiona Tanis, Mercer
Reese Dowgiallo, High Point
Ava Welsh, High Point
Ava Grandi, High Point
Vivian Chiomento, Wofford
Katie Brosseau, Wofford
Shae Insinga, Furman
Reynolds Hester, Furman
