Heartbreak Against High Point

Saturday, April 23

High Point, NC

3 p.m.

Mercer University

11-4 (7-1Big South)

High Point

8-8 (7-1Big South)

Mercer

High Point

4/23/2022 5:51:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Bears drop afternoon matchup to Panthers, 18-12

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Mercer had their seven-game Big South win streak snapped as they fought hard in an 18-12 setback to High Point on Saturday afternoon on the road. The Bears (11-4, 7-1 Big South) were led offensively by Hailey Rhatigan's four goals and assist.

The homestanding Panthers (8-8, 7-1 Big South) opened the game's scoring with consecutive goals and the 13:36 and 13:01 marks for the early 2-0 lead. Rhatigan responded with a strike at the 9:06 mark to get the Bears on the board. After High Point notched a third, Shannon Urey and Kayla Soltys each found the back of the net to knot the game at three to end the first frame.

Lyndsey Lewis scored to open the second and to give Mercer its first lead of the contest with just 13 seconds into the quarter. High Point answered back with a pair over 65 seconds for the 5-4 advantage. Kayla Soltys countered 15 seconds later to level the game at 5 a side. The Panthers took back the lead for good with 12:07 to go in the half when Emma Genovese converted an opportunity from eight meters out to make it a 6-5 game. Rhatigan scored three of the game's next six to bring Mercer to within one score at 9-8. A Hannah Lind goal was sandwiched between a pair of Panther goals to give the hosts an 11-9 lead into the intermission.

Strikes from Shannon Urey and Maddi Koury broke a three-goal run by High Point to start the third. The hosts would go on to add a trio of scores to take a 17-11 lead into the last 30 minutes.

Rhatigan converted from a free position shot to record her fourth and final goal of the game with 2:08 gone from the final frame.

A quartet of Bears – Lind, Koury, Emma Pizzo and Ainsley Malamala – claimed three ground balls apiece while Lewis and Kayla Soltys each won seven decisions from the draw circle.
In goal, Iseabal Cryne and Kate Vanderlinde combined for eight saves across the game's entirety.

The Bears will wrap up the regular season by hosting Campbell on Wednesday, April 27. First draw is slated for 3 p.m. from Five Star Stadium.

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