NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Newberry College Wolves women's lacrosse team (10-3, 4-2 SAC) fell to the No. 24 Wingate Bulldogs by a final score of 15-13 despite an impressive fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
The defenses made themselves known early in the first period as both teams forced multiple turnovers, but that would change midway through the period as Chloe Wood (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) was able to get the Wolves on the board first. Marissa Plumer (Chester, Md.) was then able to convert on a free-position attempt shortly after to extend the lead to 2-0. However, the Bulldogs were able to tie the game up with a pair of quick goals just over 30 seconds apart. Heather Johnston (Merritt Island, Fla.) would find the back of the net to retake the lead. Cassell Richardson (Forest, Va.) would follow that up by providing a nice feed to Robin Hall (Rockledge, Fla.) for the score to put the Wolves up by two again, but the Bulldogs would once again tie up the game before taking the lead late in the period.
Wingate was able to carry the momentum into the second quarter with a pair of goals, but Wood and Johnston were each able to score their second goals of the game to cut the lead back down to one. However, the Bulldogs were able to put up one more goal before the end of the half to send the Wolves into the break trailing 6-8.
The Bulldogs came out hot in the third quarter, scoring six goals. Wood was able to complete a hat trick to try and take back some momentum, but outside of the lone goal, the Wolves were held scoreless the remainder of the period.
With things seeming bleak, the Wolves were determined to not go down without a fight. Serena Elias (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) was able to score early in the fourth quarter, and Plumer was able to follow it up by scoring back-to-back goals to seize the momentum. The Bulldogs were able to slow the Wolves for a moment with a goal of their own to go back up by five, but Plumer found a cutting Richardson to continue the offensive barrage. Plumber was then able to convert on a free-position attempt, and Elias found the back of the net again a little over 30 seconds of game time later to cut the lead down to two. However, despite the impressive fourth quarter performance, Wingate was able to use up enough of the clock to hold on to win to give the Wolves their third loss of the season.
Plumer led the way with 5 points on 4 goals and an assist, and Wood was not far behind, scoring a hat trick while also picking up an assist. Johnston and Elias each scored twice while Hall and Richardson were each able to find the back of the net as well. Defensively, Hall, Kaitlyn Mason (Cocoa Beach, Fla.) and Madalyn Messersmith (Stevensville, Md.) each caused a pair of turnovers. Also, despite taking the loss in goal, Mack Dorr (Riverhead, N.Y.) was able to save 11 shots while securing 6 ground balls.
The Wolves return to action on Wednesday, April 13 when they travel to the mountains to take on the Cavaliers of UVA Wise with the first draw scheduled for 3 p.m.
