Rematch for a Championship

Sunday, May 8

High Point, NC

1 p.m.

Mercer University

High Point - Championship

Photo by: Todd Drexler/SESPORTSMEDIA.com

5/7/2022 3:58:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Mercer to meet High Point for league crown, NCAA bid

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Big South's top teams will face each other when second seeded-Mercer and top seeded-High Point battle tomorrow afternoon at Vert Stadium for the conference championship and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Mercer and High Point ended the regular season with identical 8-1 marks in league play.
With a win, it would be Mercer's fourth-ever trip to the NCAA's invitational and fourth consecutive league tournament championship. Prior to the 2022 season, the Bears won three straight Southern Conference crowns.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Teams: No. 2 Mercer Bears (13-4, 8-1 Big South) vs. No. 1 High Point Panthers (10-8, 8-1 Big South)
Date: Sunday, May 8
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Vert Stadium • High Point, N.C.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

SERIES HISTORY
High Point holds a 3-0 series lead over Mercer, all of which have taken place at Vert Stadium, the site of the Big South Championship. In late April, the Panthers dealt the Bears their first-ever Big South setback in a 17-12 affair. These sides are meeting for the first time ever in a postseason affair.

SCOUTING MERCER
The Bears shook off their loss to the Panthers with consecutive double-digit wins over Campbell and Furman, respectively, to clinch their spot in the championship game. Chloe Schaeffer had a game-high six goals and an assist to lead the Mercer offense to the 22-4 win over No. 3 Furman on Friday evening. Hailey Rhatigan – one of the country's most dynamic offensive weapons – tallied five scores and three assists to the effort. Hannah Lind and Ainsley Malamala each caused a pair of turnovers to stifle the Paladins. Kayla Soltys claimed 13 of Mercer's 21 wins at the draw circle, helping lead to the clinical offensive day by the Bears. Iseabal Cryne turned away five shots in the 60 minutes in the cage.

SCOUTING HIGH POINT
The Panthers have rattled off nine consecutive wins since dropping a 17-14 decision to Campbell in late March, with seven coming by double-digit margins. Abby Hormes tallied eight goals and helped on another while Mena Loescher added six goals and five assists en route to a 25-15 win over Gardner-Webb in the day's first Big South Semifinal at Vert Stadium. Three – Ava Scudillo, Hormes and Caitlyn Baeher – had at least three caused turnovers to suppress the Runnin' Bulldogs' offensive production. In addition to her nine points and four caused turnovers, Hormes tallied 15 draw control wins yesterday. Taylor Suplee and Sadie Coachman split the 60 minutes in net and combined for five saves.

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